Children and adolescents of parents undergoing dialysis therapy: their reported quality of life

The objective of this study was to describe one aspect of the reported quality of life (QOL) (according to the Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophical theory of the good life) of a selected group of children and adolescents whose parents were being treated by dialysis therapy for renal failure.

An exploratory descriptive design was used.

Twenty-five children and adolescents ranging in age from 8 to 16 years, selected on a convenience basis, participated in the study. The setting was a major renal treatment program in Western Canada.

Semi-structured interviews were held with children and adolescents privately, in their homes, once a week for two to three weeks. The interview data were subjected to content analysis.

Generally, the children and adolescents seemed to possess the real goods necessary for a good life. However, they appeared to need more goods of the mind: (a) an intellective good--more information about how their various family members were feeling, and (b) decreased fear in relation to their parents' condition and treatments. Also, they discussed the need for carefree family vacations, an instrumental means to sensory pleasure--a bodily good.

Overall, the QOL of this group of children and adolescents seemed to be good. The parents' renal disease and dialysis therapy had an impact on the children's lives in that sometimes it interfered with and sometimes it facilitated attainment of real goods. Further study is required to examine the effects on the QOL of children and adolescents regarding dialysis modality, age/gender of the child or adolescent, and stage of treatment.