Exploring the live-in experiences of mothers of hospitalised children with a chronic illness through narrative and embroidery

Abstract

In New Zealand it is common for mothers of children with chronic illnesses to live-in during the period of their child's hospitalisation. There has been little research which explores these mothers' experiences. To provide effective care nurses need to be able to understand the mother's perspectives and facilitate communication by responding to their needs. In this study the experiences of three mothers who lived-in when their children were hospitalised with a chronic illness were explored through narrative methods and aesthetic use of embroidery. The study focused on giving the mothers the opportunity and space to tell their stories. A conceptual framework "women's ways of knowing" supported the process, craft as embroidery was used to support the process of storying their experiences and the therapeutic aspects of craft as therapy. The women were shown an embroidery sampler and asked to relate three stories: a positive story, a not so positive story and any other story that they felt was important. A stylised motif was stitched onto the embroidery sampler depicting each of the mothers' stories. Each of the mother's stories revealed the complexities and the difficulties of living-in. The completed embroidery was shown to the mothers. Analysis of the mothers' stories and feedback from the mothers revealed that the craft provided a tool to assist healing. The implications for nursing and future research suggest that craft could be used for women to express their experiences.