A double concern: grandmothers' experiences when a small grandchild is critically ill

J Pediatr Nurs. 2004 Feb;19(1):61-9. doi: 10.1016/s0882-5963(03)00143-x.

Abstract

Grandmothers play an active part in family health and illness, but so far they are peripheral in both nursing and nursing research. This article addresses grandmothers' lived experiences when a small grandchild is critically ill. A convenience sample of 7 grandmothers was interviewed once. With the use of the methodology of Van Manen, (1990), the essence of the phenomenon was found to be a "double concern," a worry and loving care that encompassed both parents and grandchildren. Although the findings have limitations, they constitute a systematic and thematic description of Danish grandmothers' experiences and therefore add to a family-oriented body of knowledge in pediatric nursing.

MeSH terms

  • Anecdotes as Topic
  • Child
  • Child, Hospitalized* / psychology
  • Critical Illness* / psychology
  • Denmark
  • Empathy
  • Family / psychology*
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intergenerational Relations*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors