Family Consequences of Potentially Traumatic Pediatric Medical Events: Implications for Trauma-Informed Care

Extensive research demonstrates that pediatric medical events can be traumatic for patients, caregivers, and siblings, but the aftereffects of these potentially traumatic events for the family and its members are not well documented. Through focus groups with patients, caregivers, and siblings, this qualitative study examined the perceived consequences of potentially traumatic medical events for individual family members and the family as a whole. Sixteen focus groups (6 caregiver, 5 patient, 5 sibling) were conducted. Participants included 44 caregivers, 24 patients, and 14 siblings from 28 families with children treated in cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, orthopedics, or pulmonology. Constantcomparison and directed-content analysis were used to analyze the resulting data. Six themes regarding the family consequences of potentially traumatic medical events emerged: (a) family members experience strong emotional reactions and distressing thoughts, (b) family members experience trauma-related reactions and behaviors, (c) family patterns and routines change, (d) family conflict arises, (e) family members feel different from their peers and strive for normalcy, and (f) family members construct positive narratives about these events and experience positive consequences and emotions. These findings reveal the consequences of potentially traumatic medical events that extend beyond traumatic stress symptoms. Moreover, the impact of these consequences is seen within both individual family member responses and responses within the family system as a whole. Understanding both individualand family-level consequences of medical events is important in order to provide family-centered, trauma-informed care for children with illness or injury and their family members.