抄録
【Objective】This study examines the daily-life situation and the subjective-life satisfaction of living liver-transplanted preadolescent and adolescent children.
【Design】Cross-sectional survey
【Methods】Our study sample consists of 9 preadolescent and adolescent children who had undergone liver transplantation. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and questionnaires about their daily-life experiences. Descriptive statistics and qualitative descriptive research methods were used for the data analyse.
【Results】Our survey showed how elementary school children (fourth to sixth grades) could manage their health by themselves with parental support. They did know that they experienced an operation in their childhood period,but did not sufficiently understand the "transplantation" itself. Self-management of high-school children differs according to their transplantation period or their perception about the transplantation. In regard to subjective-life satisfaction, all the elementary school children had scores higher than the standard value; however, half of the high school children showed scores lower than that value. In particular, the subjective-life satisfaction did not always correspond with their physical situations.
【Conclusion】Preadolescent children could manage their health with parental support. Their satisfaction score was higher than the standard value. However, they did not sufficiently understand the "transplantation" itself. Self-management of adolescent children differs according to their transplantation period or their perception about the transplantation. The satisfaction score did not necessarily correspond to their physical situation. Medical staffs should support children with due consideration of their past experiences and understanding of the disease, the treatment, and the transplantation itself.
