What Parents of Seriously Ill Children Value

Parent-to-Parent Connection and Mentorship

Bibliographic Data

ID13628491
AuthorsShelley Cohen Konrad (University of New England, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume55
Issue2
Pages117-130
Publication date2007-07-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2190/om.55.2.b
PMID17944310
OpenAlexW2140163417
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited21

The value of parent-to-parent support has been noted in research with parents of children who have a range of special needs and chronic medical conditions, however, less is known about the benefit of such mentorship for parents caring for seriously ill and dying children. Findings from a qualitative study with mothers of seriously ill children, including those whose children had died, provided rich and detailed information about the personal and practical resources they received from other parents. Personal recommendations to parents by parents included the value of seeking out mentorship and appreciating the small things in life, while practical suggestions encompassed encouraging parents to become informed and to advocate for their children's best interests. Mothers also identified professionals with end-of-life training as instrumental agents of support

Developmental psychology · Medical education · Mentorship · Qualitative research · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology