Pediatric Chronic Illness and Social-Emotional Development
Date
2024-04-05
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Abstract
When thinking about an illness, it may be common to think that an individual will have that illness for a short period of time and will recover quickly. Individuals that are living with chronic illnesses, however, have that illness for multiple months (or longer) and do not always recover. Chronic illness is defined as a condition that lasts three months or longer, involves continuous medical care (hospitalizations), and limits activities in daily life. As morbid as that may sound, the chronic illness known as chronic kidney disease (CKD), falls into that category. It may be common to associate children with terms such as playing, laughing, learning, pureness, and happiness. What if the children that are associated with those five terms are now associated with the chronic illness, CKD? Are they still able to play the same? Do they still experience happiness in their laughter? Are they able to learn the same as they did before their chronic illness? Children that have chronic illnesses often adjust their routines, may develop physical limitations, and could encounter psychosocial restrictions. Furthermore, children with a chronic illness may experience painful treatment and diagnostics while being separated from friends and family, leading to fear, internalization of feelings, and trouble with socialization. This paper analyzes the specific questions asked above and evaluates the social-emotional aspects of pediatric chronic illnesses, specifically CKD. Additionally, this paper will address how CKD affects children and their family overtime.
Description
Megan Haverstock is a student at Stephen F. Austin State University.
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Healthcare