A study using visual art methods to explore the perceptions and barriers of self-management in children and adolescents with lymphedema

Moffatt, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2436-0129, Aubeeluck, A, Stasi, E, Mestre, S, Rowan, S, Murray, S and Quere, I, 2019. A study using visual art methods to explore the perceptions and barriers of self-management in children and adolescents with lymphedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 17 (2), pp. 231-244. ISSN 1539-6851

Preview

Text 13612_a1480_Moffatt.pdf - Published version Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: The study had two related aims: To explore, using visual art methodology, how children and adolescents perceive their Lymphoedema and conceptualise the barriers and enablers in self-management and to explore the role of an educational camp in promoting self-efficacy.

Methods: Participants (speaking English, French and Italian) were recruited during an educational camp for children with Lymphoedema. Children and adolescents used different methodologies to depict living and self-managing their condition. Younger children (aged 5 -12) drew pictures and all children and adolescents (aged 5 -18) were given cameras and asked to take photographs that depicted their experience of learning self-management of their condition during the camp. Rose’s critical visual methodology framework was used for analysis.

Results: Analysis of the data produced 5 categories: Normal versus altered childhood, living with Lymphoedema, perceptions of Lymphoedema and self-care in younger children, Adolescents perception of living and managing Lymphoedema, Learning self-efficacy and Insights into cultural differences in self-care

Conclusions: The study has shown that self-management is complex. Children and adolescents face many daily challenges and frustrations in managing their condition in addition to the normal challenges of development and growth that impact on: home life, time with friends, school activities and relationships. Children expressed a deep longing for cure and a recognition that their lives were altered by having the condition that led to limitations in sport and wearing fashionable clothes and shoes. The importance of relationships with professionals was critical as was the experience of meeting and learning with other children through the camp experience. Attempts to simplify self-management techniques would appear to be a key priority as would a greater understanding of the self-beliefs young people have of their ability to influence and control their condition and its impact on their life.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Lymphatic Research and Biology
Creators:	Moffatt, C., Aubeeluck, A., Stasi, E., Mestre, S., Rowan, S., Murray, S. and Quere, I.
Publisher:	Mary Ann Liebert
Date:	22 April 2019
Volume:	17
Number:	2
ISSN:	1539-6851
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1089/lrb.2018.0075 DOI
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	21 Mar 2019 11:26
Last Modified:	24 Sep 2019 13:50
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/36115

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads