Children, coping, and the stress of illness: a synthesis of the research.

Abstract

To synthesize and critique the current research on coping strategies used by children who are ill, to identify gaps in the research base, and to provide direction for practice, future research, and theory development. 32 research articles on coping strategies used by children with chronic or acute illness. Children's repertoire of coping strategies is the same during health and illness, although the frequency or effectiveness of some of the strategies is often different. Much more in-depth descriptive and longitudinal research is needed, particularly how, when, and why coping strategies are learned, retained, and later discarded. Research is needed to examine the relationship between coping and health outcomes, and on the effectiveness of nursing interventions designed to influence children's coping behavior.