Health Behavior and Perception of Therapeutic Restrictions in Chronically Ill Children and Their Parents

만성질환 아동과 부모의 치료적 제한에 대한 인식과 건강행위

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore health behavior and perception of therapeutic restrictions in chronically ill children and their parents in Korea. Method: Nine children with chronic disease and of six of their parents were interviewed using semi-structured a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using explorative content analysis. Results: Health behaviors related to therapeutic restrictions was classified into four domains, and the perceptions of therapeutic restrictions into two domains. The domains regarding compliance in health behavior with therapeutic restrictions included control-centered restrictions (maintaining food limitations, avoiding harmful environments, restriction on physical activity, restriction on social activity, restriction on learning activity), and everyday pursuit of balance(preference for healthy diet, maintaining a regular life style, maintaining a standard body weight, pursuing psychological well-being, family participation). Domains regarding perception of therapeutic restrictions included obstacles to growth and development (bridled life, opportunity deprivation, prevented from playing proper role), origin of conflict (tenacity, conflict, stressor, cover-up), task for normal life (doing proper duty), and everyday affairs (becoming ordinary, familiarity). Conclusion: This study will help to enhance understanding the behavior and perception of therapeutic restrictions by chronically ill children and their families and to establish educational programs and counseling for these children and their families.