Ho, Andy Hau Yan, Dutta, Oindrila ORCID: 0000-0002-2925-2477, Tan-Ho, Geraldine, Choo, Ping Ying, Low, Xinyi Casuarine, Chong, Poh Heng, Ng, Carolyn and Ganapathy, Sashikumar (2019) Thematic analysis of spousal interaction patterns among Asian parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness. BMJ Open, 9:e032582. pp. 1-8. ISSN 2044-6055 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032582)

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Abstract

Objective
This is the first known study which examines the evolutionary nature of spousal interaction patterns among Asian parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness, from the time of providing care to their child through bereavement. This study is informed by earlier findings that when a child is diagnosed with a chronic life-threatening illness, parents are faced with multiple stressors, leaving them with little time to invest in their spousal relationship.
Participants and setting
A constructivist-phenomenological research paradigm was adopted and meaning-oriented interviews were conducted with 20 parental units (i.e., 6 couples, 12 lone mothers and 2 lone fathers) of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicities who lost their child to chronic life-threatening illness in Singapore.
Results
Qualitative thematic analysis of the data revealed four themes, which describe the evolutionary nature of spousal interaction patterns among Asian parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness, from caregiving through bereavement. Findings reveal participants’ tendency to concentrate on pragmatic, solution-focused communication during the period of caregiving (pragmatic interaction), avoid discussion about their emotional pain as a means of protecting their spouse (partner-oriented self-regulation), respect and acknowledge their spouse’s personal coping strategies (empathic responding) and show greater appreciation and emotional expression within the spousal relationship after their child’s death (affective appreciation).
Conclusion
Engaging in pragmatic discussions, deferring emotion-focused and potentially distressing conversations, and acknowledging their spouse’s need for personal space are important coping strategies for Asian couples facing their child’s chronic life-threatening illness and in the immediate aftermath of his/her death. Bereaved couples who have processed their grief individually feel ready to share their reflections with their spouse, deriving meaning and greater relational closeness through such disclosure. These findings are discussed from a cultural lens, with recommendations for healthcare professionals working with Asian parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	spousal interaction; thematic analysis; Asia; chronic illness; qualitative study; Singapore
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2023 14:30
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/41730

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