Gemma Kiernan

Cross-cultural examination of the tripartite model with children: data from the Barretstown studies.

The Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children (PANAS-C; Laurent et al., 1999) and the Physiological Hyperarousal Scale for Children (PH-C; Laurent, Catanzaro, & Joiner, 1998) were administered to a group of 240 children from European countries to determine their utility in examining the tripartite model of anxiety and depression (L. A. Clark & Watson, 1991) in a cross-cultural sample. Most of the children (n = 196) had been diagnosed with a medical illness; the remainder were siblings of these youngsters (n = 44). Only slight variations were noted in items between this sample and samples from the United States. Despite these minor differences, 3 distinct scales measuring the positive affect, negative affect, and physiological hyperarousal constructs of the tripartite model were identified. These findings illustrate that the PH-PANAS-C provides a useful measure of the tripartite model in a cross-cultural sample of youth. The findings also demonstrate that the tripartite model is generalizable to a cross-cultural milieu.

the school readiness of children living in a disadvantaged area in Ireland

This study examined the multiple factors that contribute to the school readiness and early school progress of children living in an urban disadvantaged area. Structured interviews were undertaken with parents of children who had recently started school to elicit information about those aspects of childrens health, and their home and neighbourhood contexts that may influence their school readiness. Questionnaires were administered to these childrens teachers to assess the childrens cognitive and socio-emotional school readiness and to identify influences on childrens subsequent progress in their first year at school. Findings indicated that while the majority of children were ready for school, over one-third evidenced difficulties in relation to their cognitive abilities and socio-emotional skills. Regression analyses indicated that factors predictive of school readiness included parental living situation, parenting skills and preschool attendance. The factors cited as important in influencing childrens subsequent school progress included childrens characteristics, their home context, school and neighbourhood environment. Implications for policy and practice, notably preventive intervention programme development are discussed.

Review of Family-Based Psychosocial Interventions for Childhood Cancer

OBJECTIVE To report the findings of a systematic review of family-based psychosocial interventions with pediatric oncology populations. METHODS A number of intervention studies documenting psychosocial interventions for childhood cancer populations, that incorporated multiple family members, were examined. RESULTS Twenty-one studies were identified that met the criteria for inclusion and provided the data necessary for synthesizing the results. Findings illustrate that multiple family members are integrated into interventions for childhood cancer in a number of ways. Considerable variation was observed regarding the family member combinations targeted and the intervention modalities employed. A minority of interventions met the criteria for empirically validated treatments; however, evidence of beneficial outcomes was observed across the majority of interventions reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of family-based psychosocial interventions in pediatric oncology. Recommendations for conducting future intervention studies are provided including the integration of qualitative methods in evaluations of family-based interventions.

Experiences in the provision, fitting and supply of external breast prostheses: findings from a national survey.

A good-quality external breast prosthesis and prosthesis-fitting service is integral to recovery post-mastectomy. However, this area of care has minimal information or research available. The aim of this study was to investigate womens experience of the provision, fitting, supply and use of breast prostheses in Ireland. Three national surveys were undertaken with women (n = 527), breast care nurses (BCNs) (n = 32) and retail prosthesis fitters (n = 12). The findings identified the importance of the prosthesis for shape, appearance to self, appearance to others, sense of well-being, self-confidence and femininity. Dissatisfaction with weight, comfort and movement of the prosthesis was identified. Cost and travel distance were found to influence the replacement of the prosthesis. Dissatisfaction emerged with the display and choice of products, and brochure availability at the prosthesis fitting. Women preferred to be fitted for the first silicone prosthesis by a BCN in a hospital setting whereas for the replacement prosthesis they preferred a trained fitter at a specialized prosthesis supplier. BCNs and retail fitters identified the need for service guidelines and increased availability of professional development opportunities in prosthesis-fitting. These findings contributed to the development of standards of care for breast prosthesis-fitting services to benefit women and to provide guidelines for those providing the service.

External breast prostheses in post‐mastectomy care: women's qualitative accounts

A good-quality external breast prosthesis and prosthesis-fitting service is an integral part of the recovery process post-mastectomy. However, this is an area of care that has minimal information or research available. The aim of this research was to investigate womens experience of the provision, fitting, supply and use of breast prostheses in Ireland. To ascertain womens own personal and subjective experiences, five focus groups with 47 women recruited through national cancer advocacy/support organizations and four Follow-up Breast Clinics throughout Ireland were conducted. As a result, five main themes emerged: (1) The fitting experience--Fitting? (2) Post-mastectomy products--Having? (3) Cost--Affording? (4) Information--Knowing? and (5) Adaptation--Accepting? The emerging themes pinpointed the impact of the fitting experience, fitting environment and the qualities of a prosthesis fitter on a womans experience in obtaining a first or replacement breast prosthesis; the importance of the physical characteristics of the prosthesis and mastectomy bras; cost, affordability and entitlements; a lack of and perceived difficulty in getting information; and the myriad of personal and social impacts of a breast prosthesis for the woman. These findings are integral for the development of standards of practice in the fitting and supply of external breast prostheses in post-mastectomy care.

Children's Perspectives of Therapeutic Recreation: Data from the 'Barretstown Studies'.

Camps offering therapeutic recreation-based programmes seek to provide a positive experience for children with life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings. While such programmes are undoubtedly motivated by the best of intentions, there are very little data available on children’s own experiences in them. This article addresses this by investigating children’s experiences in The Barretstown Gang Camp in Ireland. A questionnaire was completed by 449 children from 15 European countries. Feedback was factor analysed to construct an empirical model of how liking for activities in the programme clustered. Eight distinct components were identified.. Results indicated that children’s level of liking for some components and whether they felt their friends would like to come to camp were influenced by their age, gender, nationality, level of understanding of explanations in camp and patient/sibling status. Children’s descriptions of their camp experience emphasized themes pertaining to fun, activities, scenic surroundings, staff and multiculturalism.

The Revised-Perceived Illness Experience Scale (R-PIE): Data From the Barretstown Studies

The Perceived Illness Experience Scale (PIE)1 was developed to measure childrens perception of their illness experience. In this article, the authors examine the previously uninvestigated factor structure of the PIE using the responses of 184 European children (mean age = 11.61 years, SD = 2.31) with life-threatening illnesses. The findings showed a 6-factor solution: (1) School/Peer Rejection, (2) Thinking About Illness, (3) Physical Appearance, (4) Interference With Activity, (5) Parental Responses, and (6) Manipulation. Childrens mean scores on each subscale and for the composite Revised PIE (R-PIE) were generally low, suggesting that as a group, children do not perceive that their illness has an especially negative impact on their lives. There were differences between the childrens mean scores on some subscales depending on their gender, nationality grouping, and type of illness. These findings provide empirical support for the R-PIE and suggest its usefulness in measuring childrens experience of different illnesses in multinational settings.

The changing nature of early childhood care and education in Ireland

Abstract This paper traces the evolution of early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Ireland over the course of the last century. Changing conceptualisations of the nature of childhood provide the context for understanding historical and contemporary approaches to ECCE. Historically, young childrens care and education were treated as separate entities, with ‘care’ provided within the home and ‘education’ outside the home. However, the contemporary perspective recognises that young childrens learning occurs on a continuum from birth, with care and education being interdependent. Although a distinct ECCE sector is beginning to emerge, prompted by developments at policy, practice and research level, there is considerable scope for further progress. Given ‘where we have come from’ and ‘where we are currently at’, future directions and recommendations for ECCE are elucidated.

Reflections on the development of a therapeutic recreation-based bereavement camp for families whose child has died from serious illness

ABSTRACT While bereavement camps serve as a support for children, this study examines a therapeutic recreation-based camp for families who have lost a child. The study triangulated documents, researcher reflection, and staff interviews to highlight the themes of Searching & Finding, Getting to Know, Finding the Balance, and Joining. Developing opportunistically through internal and external factors, the camp’s evolution represents a closing of the loop, from supporting families of living children to also supporting the families of children who have died. Understanding the camp’s evolution may facilitate other programs by highlighting the challenges in developing the program and the lessons learned.