Children rare chronic illnesses and family resilience

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have established that chronic illness is a sufficiently significant risk to allow the introduction of the concept of family resilience and have set hypotheses relating to the emergence of such resilience. METHODS Using John Rolland's integrative psychosocial model about Families, Illness and Disability and the Mc Cubbin's Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustement and Adaptation, we describe and explain the construct of resilience among 38 French families with children suffering from severe chronic illness. The methodology included quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Standardized questionnaires (Impact on Family Scale, Family Relationship Index, Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation General) and projective tests (Family Apperception Test, Draw-a-Family) have been assessed. Semi-structured clinical interviews conducted with a small number of families illustrate some of the findings. RESULTS The first results of this study will be available at the beginning of 2014 and could be presented at the congress. DISCUSSION This descriptive study helps to understand the mechanisms present in the resilience processes of these families. The ultimate goal is to propose perspectives for psychologists and social workers, in order to create prevention and protection measures to support families raising a child suffering from a chronic disease.