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Breaking Difficult News in a Cross‐cultural Setting: a Qualitative Study about Latina Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome
Author(s) -
Sheets Kayla M.,
Baty Bonnie J.,
Vázquez Juan Carlos,
Carey John C.,
Hobson Wendy L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/s10897-011-9425-2
Subject(s) - feeling , thematic analysis , qualitative research , focus group , dilemma , medicine , psychology , perception , cultural diversity , theme (computing) , developmental psychology , family medicine , social psychology , sociology , social science , philosophy , epistemology , neuroscience , anthropology , computer science , operating system
Giving difficult news to patients represents a common dilemma for health care professionals. Based on three decades of research, various authors have proposed guidelines outlining the ideal setting, delivery, and timing. Existing publications focus on patients of European descent and may not be applicable in cross‐cultural settings. We explored perceptions of Spanish‐speaking mothers who have a child with Down syndrome and how they preferred to receive the news of their child's diagnosis. We conducted semi‐structured qualitative interviews ( n = 14), which were coded and analyzed by thematic networks to identify common themes. Six significant themes emerged: Cultural Belief System, Communication, Support/Lack of Support, Feelings Engendered, Medical Issues, and Medical System. One overarching theme of mother‐child bonding encompassed all sub‐themes. The mothers desired the news in a more positive, balanced light and with more complete explanations about the condition. Mothers felt excluded from the diagnostic process and wanted to be better informed about the need for diagnostic studies. Participants used religious beliefs to explain the reason for their child's condition. Many factors influenced Latina mothers’ ability to bond initially with their children with Down syndrome. Ideally, these factors should be acknowledged during informing interviews to assist Latino families in adjustment.