Liver transplantation in children: maternal and family stress, coping, and adaptation

This study examined the relationship of family stress, severity of the stressor, uncertainty, coping, and family adaptation from pretransplantation to posttransplantation.

A descriptive, longitudinal study of 15 mothers whose children were at least 5 years posttransplantation.

Maternal stress, coping, and uncertainty demonstrated significant changes over time, whereas family stress did not. Pretransplantation family stress, anger, and confusion were related to poorer family adaptation.

Interventions for mothers pretransplantation should account for the coping, levels of stress, and uncertainty present at each phase of the transplantation process. Interventions need to be tailored to the transplantation phase. Long-term interventions remain necessary and should be directed at reinforcement of teaching, as well as assessment and provision of parental support relevant to the long-term needs of the family.