Date of Award

Spring 5-2015

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Kathleen Masters

Advisor Department

Nursing

Abstract

This was a qualitative study that explored the lived experience of parents who had children with atopic dermatitis, otherwise known as eczema. The study had seven volunteer participants and the objective of this study was to determine any coping mechanisms used to overcome the negative aspects of atopic dermatitis. Volunteers were obtained from the Oak Grove Family Clinic. Phone interviews were then conducted and the participants were asked a series of eight questions. After the interviews concluded the researcher then transcribed the interviews and determined common themes from parents’ responses. All of the parents discussed how using unscented lotion, preventing outbreaks, and avoiding triggers were mechanisms used to overcome atopic dermatitis. These three responses can be grouped into one theme used: prevention. The other themes concluded from this study that parents and children used against atopic dermatitis were communication, providing a sense of normalcy/routine, child involvement and using individualization.

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