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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Vanden, Vera. 1980. - THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF FAMILIES WITH CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN AND THE STUDY OF A SELF-HELP PARENTS' GROUP AS A PLAN FOR INTERVENTION
Abstract: This thesis describes clinic and home interviews that were conducted with clients of The Children's Medical Services of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. The aim of this project was to understand the personal and social coping strategies utilized by families with chronically ill children. As a result of these interviews, a plan for intervention was proposed to agency administrators. This took the form of a parents' group based on the principle of self-help. The role of the anthropologist as advocate was discussed within this context. Two groups were conducted as a pilot study at the agency. It was hoped that one of the outcomes of the project would be to improve communication between clients and staff. The anthropologist functioned as a participant observer during this phase of the study. The two meetings that took place during the period of this project helped to indicate that clients and staff can work together on a program that is designed to improve communication between them. Also, the clients utilized the group as a vehicle through which they could offer mutual aid to each other about problems with their children both at the agency and at home. In addition, there were indications that clients hoped that the members would ultimately function as a self-help group directed toward the improvement of social conditions for their handicapped children.
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