Eczema and Caregiving
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Keywords
eczema, caregivers, self-care, support, coping
Department
Communication
Major
Communication Studies
Abstract
Abstract
Eczema is a skin condition marked by itchy and inflamed patches of skin. Children with eczema are affected in various ways, such as, experiencing, rough, flakey, inflamed, and irritated skin, sleep deprivation, and social isolation. The “itch-scratch cycle” triggers flare ups that fuels the itching and scratching leading to irritated skin. This requires attentive care, which is often provided by the parents. Research has shown that parents caregiving for a child with eczema can take a toll on the parents’ mental wellbeing. Caregivers and families can suffer because of the psychosocial stress the disease takes, attributed to sleep disturbance, anxiety and stress over the affected member, and helping the affected member complete their skin regimen. Over the course of six weeks this study examined the impact of virtual support, group virtual support, and emails providing information on self-care and eczema management, to parents caring for a child with eczema. In each of these groups, the focus is on ensuring that the parents are able to practice coping strategies and self-compassion, as well as to relieve themselves of any guilt and/or shame.
Keywords: eczema, caregiver, support, self-care, coping, self-compassion
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Lauren Amaro
Funding Source or Research Program
Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Presentation Session
Session C
Start Date
23-4-2021 3:45 PM
End Date
23-4-2021 4:00 PM
Eczema and Caregiving
Abstract
Eczema is a skin condition marked by itchy and inflamed patches of skin. Children with eczema are affected in various ways, such as, experiencing, rough, flakey, inflamed, and irritated skin, sleep deprivation, and social isolation. The “itch-scratch cycle” triggers flare ups that fuels the itching and scratching leading to irritated skin. This requires attentive care, which is often provided by the parents. Research has shown that parents caregiving for a child with eczema can take a toll on the parents’ mental wellbeing. Caregivers and families can suffer because of the psychosocial stress the disease takes, attributed to sleep disturbance, anxiety and stress over the affected member, and helping the affected member complete their skin regimen. Over the course of six weeks this study examined the impact of virtual support, group virtual support, and emails providing information on self-care and eczema management, to parents caring for a child with eczema. In each of these groups, the focus is on ensuring that the parents are able to practice coping strategies and self-compassion, as well as to relieve themselves of any guilt and/or shame.
Keywords: eczema, caregiver, support, self-care, coping, self-compassion