Children suffering from atopic eczema and their families. A qualitative investigation of the effects on family and their coping styles

Research in the field of the impact of chronic illness is nowadays often based on concepts such as coping and stress adaptation. From the point of view of the family chronic illness influences family functioning, while coping behavior is influenced by the families resources. There is little research done on this interaction. This article focuses on atopic eczema. METHODS: Qualitative free interviews of more than two hours duration each, had been done with all family members of families with a child suffering from severe chronic atopic eczema until the age of (pre-) puberty. A family interview with all members of the family has also been transcribed. The interpretation of the data is based on the qualitative content analysis and the grounded theory. The results from 5 families (24 interviews) lead to a typology of familial coping. The implications of this typology are discussed.