An Explanatory Study of Maternal Stress and Coping with a Cystic Fibrosis Child

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of coping with a cystic fibrosis (CF) child and to define coping strategies from the perspective of the mother. The research design was based upon a phenomenological approach with analysis of transcribed, semistructured interviews with mothers of CF children. A purposive sample of eight mothers with CF children were interviewed to explore the maternal CF experience. Each interview was tape recorded and followed up with a phone call to allow the mothers to add additional information, if so desired. Data analysis consisted of reviewing each typed, verbatim transcript to categorize mother\u27s coping responses and to identify common, recurring themes. Nine themes of mother-defined coping emerged. From the major recurrent themes, a conceptual model of maternal coping with the experience of having a CF child was developed