Mothers' experiences in a pediatric burn unit: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Qualitative Health Research
• Burn Injury Care

Background:

• Hospitalization for pediatric burn injuries profoundly impacts maternal mental well-being, causing guilt, anxiety, fear, and shame.
• Limited qualitative research exists on mothers' in-hospital experiences in Turkish pediatric burn units.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of mothers during their child's hospitalization for burn injuries.
• To inform the development of family-centered pediatric burn nursing care.

Main Methods:

• Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 mothers of children admitted to a pediatric burn unit.
• Colaizzi's seven-step method was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Mothers reported experiencing guilt and fatigue, with prolonged hospital stays being emotionally and physically exhausting.
• Key themes included emotional reactions, fatigue, care experiences, and family/social support disruptions.
• Factors contributing to distress included environmental discomfort and perceived judgment during care.

Conclusions:

• Mothers of children with burn injuries face negative emotions, fatigue, and loneliness, necessitating recognition of their needs within family-centered care.
• Effective nursing practice requires prioritizing psychosocial support, nurse-parent communication, and environmental improvements.
• Further qualitative research across diverse cultural contexts and involving other family members is recommended.