原著

Original Article

サイトウ, チアキ

Chiaki, SAITO

self-care behavior

caregiver

schoolchildren and adolescent

The purpose of this study was to clarify how school children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis make sense of self-care behaviors and how their caregivers support them. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 pairs of children or adolescents(from grades 3 to 9)and their caregivers. The following results were obtained: 1.Typical self-care behaviors include “control on itch" “cleaning the skin" “applying ointment." Depending on ,, , and developmental stage, motivation for self-care behaviors changes from extrinsic motivation to motivation based ont he child's own experiences. Younger children understand their disease based on itch and the visual condition of the skin, while older children use the degree of skin aggravation and allergic reaction. 2.Although few caregivers explain the pathology of dermatitis to their children, many caregivers advise their children to perform daily self-care behaviors. If caregivers do not understand the child's disease, they are unable to provide proper guidance for self-care behaviors. In conclusion, the following nursing practice points are suggested: 1.Encourage children to understand their disease and make sense of their self-care behaviors. 2.Encourage caregivers to understand their children's disease and, according to developmental stage, support their children to perform self-care behaviors on their own.