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Experiences of Dutch students growing up with a family member with a chronic illness: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Van der Werf Hinke M.,
Paans Wolter,
Emmens Geertjan,
Francke Anneke L.,
Roodbol Petrie F.,
Luttik Marie Louise A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.12896
Subject(s) - focus group , family member , qualitative research , psychology , peer support , loyalty , alienation , social psychology , medicine , family medicine , psychiatry , sociology , social science , anthropology , political science , law
Students growing up with a family member with a chronic illness often delay or drop out of school when the combination of family care and their educational programme is too demanding. This study aims to describe the themes experienced by students growing up in this situation. A qualitative focus group design was used. The recruitment for this study was done through an online survey where students could indicate whether they also wanted to participate in a focus group. Twenty‐five Dutch students (age 18–25 years) who grew up with a family member with a chronic illness participated in one of the total of seven focus groups. A qualitative inductive analysis was used to identify codes and main themes. Students growing up with a family member with a chronic illness experience responsibility issues, loyalty conflicts, peer alienation, role reversal, negative influence on personal development, daily worries and confronting situations. They reported substantial impact in terms of their general well‐being, their family relationships and in their choices for their future. Students articulated that growing up in this situation has a serious and substantial impact on their lives. Further research is required in order to gain comprehensive insights into the requests of these students regarding personal and family support.