Abstract
The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding and to develop the structure on chronic illnesses in adolescents, so that they would obtain the necessary information required as part of their self care. The consenting participants were 11 outpatients (6 girls and 5 boys) of the age range of 13-20 years. All of them had chronic conditions such as post-liver transplant complications, nephrosis, hyperthyroidism, and dwarfism; these conditions had been developed following a brain tumor and asthma. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with these participants, and these data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory methodology. The findings revealed the following 3 categories: the foundation for adolescents to obtain information, initial stages of obtaining information by the adolescents, taking the responsibility of making a decision. Development of the Structure of Chronic Illnesses in Adolescents for Them to Obtain Information as part of Self-Care is that as follows; they would be open the way to the future whereby the adolescents would be aware of their problem and take decisions by themselves on the basis of the previous knowledge and resources. These findings indicate that health education for adolescents should cover chronic illnesses and include peer group discussions in order to enable them for self-care during such illnesses.
