The effect of nursing care based on human caring theory on posttraumatic growth in parentally bereaved adolescents: Action research

Problem

The death of a parent is a traumatic experience for adolescents. Studies to ensure post-traumatic growth in adolescents are limited. The aim of this study to evaluate the effect of nursing care based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring on posttraumatic growth in parentally bereaved adolescents.

Methods

This study was participatory action research. The study was carried out with four participants through online interviews. In the study, pre- and post-action data were obtained through individual interviews and scales. During the action process, nursing care based on the Theory of Human Caring was provided to the participants individually tracked through the Omaha System. Pre and post-action qualitative data were analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. In quantitative data, scale total and sub-scores were documented.

Findings

During the action, it was determined via Omaha System coding that the participants mostly experienced grief and mental health problems. In the pre-action, the participants stated that they experienced various difficulties regarding grief. In the post-action, the participants stated that the meaning of parental loss,its effects on life, and their ability to cope with loss changed and they experienced positive changes. In addition, when the scale scores of the participants' pre- and post-action were compared, it was found that the Mourning Scale scores decreased, and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory scores increased.

Conclusions

The result of this study demonstrate that nursing care based on Theory of Human Caring reduces the grief symptoms and contributes to post-traumatic growth in parentally bereaved adolescents.