Latino Caregiver Coping With Children's Chronic Health Conditions: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

In this study we examined research pertaining to how Latino caregivers cope with their children's chronic health conditions. An understanding of this topic could facilitate appropriate interventions by health care staff to promote optimal child health outcomes. In this integrative review we categorized 21 studies by publication characteristics, methodology, findings, and their focus on emotion-focused and/or problem-focused coping. Thirteen studies used a qualitative design. Five studies included fathers in the sample. Twelve studies investigated coping with child's asthma, primarily in Mexican or Puerto Rican families. Coping strategies utilizing religion/spirituality, alternate healing practices, family support, and education about the child's illness were identified. Language, cultural dissimilarities, receiving inadequate information about the child's health care, differences in health beliefs, and feeling disrespected by providers were frequently cited coping challenges. Addressing these barriers is imperative to enhance coping of caregivers. Inconsistencies in research samples regarding income, education, immigration, and acculturation histories make findings difficult to generalize; recommendations for further research are suggested.