Children's conceptions of their illnesses

ABSTRACT

Conceptions of illness of 40 children aged from five to twelve years were explored, using a semistructured interview guide. Areas of interest included children's conceptions of causality of illness, children's perceptions of intent of treatment, and children's reaction to their hospital experience. Subjects' verbal responses to 30 questions were obtained, summarized, and grouped to compare conceptions according to age [younger and older] as well as sex [boys and girls]. There was statistically significant difference for age in relation to causality of illness. The majority had favorable reaction to their hospital experiences, nurses, physicians and treatment. However, Chi-square revealed no significant differences by age or sex, except for children's reaction to nurses according to age. It is recommended that children's conceptions of illness should be taken into consideration in planning their medical and nursing care