“I have to be brave” – parents’ experiences of caring for a child with eczema

ABSTRACT Eczema can have profoundly negative effects on the lives of affected children and their families. Having observed parents’ difficulties in a hospital setting, this practice-research study sought to explore parents’ experiences in caring for a child with eczema. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 parents whose children attended a dermatology clinic in Singapore and ‘Framework’ approach was employed for data analysis. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) Eczema – Living with it; (2) Managing child’s eczema – tasks and responsibilities; (3) Shifting illness-related responsibilities – supporting effective self-management; and (4) Parental support needs. The chronic-relapsing skin condition entails complex management tasks that shift between parent and child as the latter assumes autonomy during adolescence. Parents face challenges during this transition. This study highlights the areas that social work practitioners need to respond to when tailoring interventions for parents and children with eczema.