Parents' Perception of Self-Management Behaviors for Their Children With Spina Bifida in South Korea: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore parents' perceptions of self-management behaviors for their children with spina bifida (SB).

Design: Qualitative method.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with nine Korean parents of children with SB. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method.

Findings: Parental perceptions of the experiences of self-management behaviors in children with SB were classified into risk factors that hinder self-management behaviors and protective factors that accelerate them. Each category of factors was then further classified into child-, parent-, and school-related factors.

Conclusions: To promote self-management behaviors in children with SB, reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors considering child, family, and school dimensions based on cultural differences are necessary.

Clinical relevance: Rehabilitation nurses should be considered essential healthcare providers who can offer stepwise guidance to achieve self-management behaviors in children with SB according to their stage of development.