<p> In this qualitative study, I explored the phenomenon of positive growth in maternal caregivers of children who have undergone a kidney transplant. Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven mothers who shared narrative accounts of their experience. Through a phenomenological analysis of the interview data, the fundamental structure of positive growth in caregivers of transplant children was illuminated. Both negative themes and trauma and positive themes and growth were found to contribute to maternal caregiver positive growth.</p><p> Participants revealed that being a caregiver for a transplant child is an endless quest that entails layers of loss, and with each loss there is the need to start anew. The experience of loss and renewal is recursive and at times seemingly endless. Thus, the overarching theme describing positive growth in transplant caregivers was a “journey of endless beginnings.” There were three metathemes: encountering loss, transitioning through loss, and reconciling loss. Six themes composed the first leg of the journey, which was laden with trauma; however, months before and after the child’s transplant a transitional period unfolded. Three major themes made up this pivotal point: the secondchance search, transplantation as the gift of life, and facing posttransplant loss. It was at this juncture that profound connections with others were made, leading to the possibility for caregivers to transcend their trauma and have the opportunity to experience positive growth. The third leg of the journey, comprising six themes, entailed additional losses but also presented a time of renewal where caregivers reconciled ongoing losses, embraced new ways of being, and experienced lasting positive change.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3583499 |
| Date | 23 September 2014 |
| Creators | Grace, Cynthia L. |
| Publisher | Argosy University/San Francisco Bay Area |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
Page generated in 0.0112 seconds