Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families
Background: Wish-granting interventions are recognized as positive experiences for children with critical illness and their families. While the positive effects have been shown in the immediate and short term, data on their long-term effects are lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of wish-g...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/47 |
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| author | Hannah Roberts Jenny Cook Apple Lee Wei Kok Loh Nigel Teo Joanne Su Yin Yoong Marguerite Gorter-Stam |
| author_facet | Hannah Roberts Jenny Cook Apple Lee Wei Kok Loh Nigel Teo Joanne Su Yin Yoong Marguerite Gorter-Stam |
| author_sort | Hannah Roberts |
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| description | Background: Wish-granting interventions are recognized as positive experiences for children with critical illness and their families. While the positive effects have been shown in the immediate and short term, data on their long-term effects are lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of wish-granting interventions on children and parents during and post intervention—both in the weeks after, and up to 5 years after—and to examine any differences between these two groups. Methods: A large-scale international survey was distributed to children (aged 13–17 years old in 2023) and their parents across 24 countries who received a wish-granting intervention in the preceding five years by Make-A-Wish Foundation International. Primary outcomes were positive emotions experienced by children and parents during and after the intervention (short term and long term). The secondary outcomes assessed were negative emotions in wish children, and to what extent children and parents felt the intervention created a sense of normalcy, benefitted other family members, created a happy memory, and gave relief from medical treatment, plus the perceived importance of wish-granting interventions. Results: The responses of 535 children and 1062 parents were analyzed. Both groups reported increases in positive emotions during the early intervention stages, peaking when the wish was granted and persisting in the short and long term. No significant differences were found between children and parents during wish-granting or after the intervention. Negative emotions were reported by a minority of children. Over 80% of children and parents felt the intervention created a happy memory and provided relief from their medical treatments. Nearly all children (96.8%) and parents (95.4%) viewed a wish-granting intervention as important for children with a critical illness. Conclusions: Wish-granting interventions can provide positive emotional benefits to both children and their families in both the short and long term. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77aabdc969a342b8aaa4753c26eaab29 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-77aabdc969a342b8aaa4753c26eaab292025-01-24T13:27:06ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-12-011214710.3390/children12010047Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their FamiliesHannah Roberts0Jenny Cook1Apple Lee2Wei Kok Loh3Nigel Teo4Joanne Su Yin Yoong5Marguerite Gorter-Stam6Make-A-Wish Foundation International, 1217 WC Hilversum, The NetherlandsMake-A-Wish Foundation International, 1217 WC Hilversum, The NetherlandsMake-A-Wish Foundation International, 1217 WC Hilversum, The NetherlandsResearch For Impact, Singapore 159964, SingaporeResearch For Impact, Singapore 159964, SingaporeResearch For Impact, Singapore 159964, SingaporeClose of Life, Graaf Zeppelinlaan 23, 1185 HC Amstelveen, The NetherlandsBackground: Wish-granting interventions are recognized as positive experiences for children with critical illness and their families. While the positive effects have been shown in the immediate and short term, data on their long-term effects are lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of wish-granting interventions on children and parents during and post intervention—both in the weeks after, and up to 5 years after—and to examine any differences between these two groups. Methods: A large-scale international survey was distributed to children (aged 13–17 years old in 2023) and their parents across 24 countries who received a wish-granting intervention in the preceding five years by Make-A-Wish Foundation International. Primary outcomes were positive emotions experienced by children and parents during and after the intervention (short term and long term). The secondary outcomes assessed were negative emotions in wish children, and to what extent children and parents felt the intervention created a sense of normalcy, benefitted other family members, created a happy memory, and gave relief from medical treatment, plus the perceived importance of wish-granting interventions. Results: The responses of 535 children and 1062 parents were analyzed. Both groups reported increases in positive emotions during the early intervention stages, peaking when the wish was granted and persisting in the short and long term. No significant differences were found between children and parents during wish-granting or after the intervention. Negative emotions were reported by a minority of children. Over 80% of children and parents felt the intervention created a happy memory and provided relief from their medical treatments. Nearly all children (96.8%) and parents (95.4%) viewed a wish-granting intervention as important for children with a critical illness. Conclusions: Wish-granting interventions can provide positive emotional benefits to both children and their families in both the short and long term.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/47pediatric palliative carewish-granting interventionswell-beingquality of liferesilience |
| spellingShingle | Hannah Roberts Jenny Cook Apple Lee Wei Kok Loh Nigel Teo Joanne Su Yin Yoong Marguerite Gorter-Stam Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families Children pediatric palliative care wish-granting interventions well-being quality of life resilience |
| title | Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families |
| title_full | Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families |
| title_fullStr | Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families |
| title_short | Wish-Granting Interventions Promote Positive Emotions in Both the Short and Long Term in Children with Critical Illnesses and Their Families |
| title_sort | wish granting interventions promote positive emotions in both the short and long term in children with critical illnesses and their families |
| topic | pediatric palliative care wish-granting interventions well-being quality of life resilience |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/47 |
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