2024 Volume 46 Issue 5 Pages 5_849-5_860
Objective: This study aimed to determine the psychosocial issues that preschool-aged children with severe food allergies (FA) face and the support they need, as perceived by licensed nurses working as Pediatric Allergy Educators (PAEs). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 qualified nurses working as PAEs. Then, qualitative descriptive analysis was performed on the interview data. Results: PAEs perceived that children with FAs face the following psychosocial issues: [delayed transition to self-management], [allergy management that is not FA child-centered], [lack of experience with food], [non-food restrictions in daily life], [adverse reactions to food], [delayed social development], and [negative impact on self-concept formation]. The support PAEs provide for these problems include [support to encourage proactive participation in testing and treatment], [support for enhancing self-esteem], [support for coping with life with allergies], [support to foster food enjoyment], [support to encourage children to interact with each other], and [support for preschool and kindergarten staff]. Conclusions: This study aids in understanding the psychosocial issues that children with severe FA face and providing adequate support for them in later childhood.
