A qualitative study to explore how adolescents cope with Haemophilia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploratory qualitative study investigating how adolescents with Haemophilia cope with their illness
IRAS ID
132116
Contact name
Esther Murray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London Metropolitan UnIVERSITY
Research summary
The study aims to research the coping strategies of adolescents with haemophilia and to identify the range of coping strategies they use to cope with their illness and the relationship between their coping strategies, adjustment and their quality of life at transition. A literature search found many studies looking in to how adolescents cope with chronic illnesses but only one study specifically focused on adolescents with haemophilia was found. This study explored the similarities and differences in the coping styles used by parents and children (ages 6-15)in families with haemophilia.The study aims to fill the gap in the literature.
The study will be using a qualitative method design, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) (Smith 2004). This will focus on understanding individuals’ experiences (ibid) and the data is collected by using semi structured interviews. The interview schedule is devised by the researcher, concerning patient’s experience of living with haemophilia and coping with haemophilia, and feelings around these experiences. Emphasis will be given to questions that explore any issues highlighted in the interview.
Each interview will be conducted in the department of haemophilia centre at St Thomas’ Hospital and will take approximately an hour.
The researcher is aiming to recruit 7 participants. All will be adolescents (between age 10 and 19) with haemophilia attending an outpatient specialist Haemophilia transition clinic in haemophilia centre in St Thomas hospital. The centre at St Thomas’ Hospital provides multidisciplinary care for haemophilia patients in the South London area.
It is hoped that the findings will help to have a better understanding of how adolescents with haemophilia cope with their illness and what coping strategies they use to cope with their haemophilia and what feelings they may have around this experiences.
It is anticipated that this study will take not longer than 8 calender months to be completed.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0299
Date of REC Opinion
17 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion