Family strengthening interventions for managing children with sickle cell anemia

Abstract

Objective: understanding the family coping for the management of the child with sickle cell anemia. Method: a qualitative study of a case study type conducted in a school clinic in the Central Western Region of Brazil. The unit of analysis was a single parent family consisting of the mother and the seven-year-old son. The reference of the Interactional Model of Family Care guided the intervention plan, consisting of eight meetings every two weeks for four months. Results: from the narratives were raised the hypotheses of suffering and proposed interventions that involved listening tries, clarifying doubts, offering information, encouragement and praise to the family forces. It appears that the family faces adversity based on its strength and interactions with health professionals, perceiving it more resilient and empowered with the interventions offered, which promoted its understanding of the disease and the perception of its safety for care. Final thoughts: Family empowerment enables better understanding of the disease by the members, leading them to feel safer for care, in an environment of welcome and appreciation. Interventions that strengthen family resilience have the potential to help the family manage children with sickle cell anemia.