How parents care for their child during a sickle cell crisis without medical intervention

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that affects over 100,000 people in the United States. This disorder causes sickling of red blood cells resulting in painful sickle cell crisis, which is the leading cause of hospital admission for children living with SCD. Parents have the responsibility of caring for their children during a sickle cell crisis in the home environment. Although the majority of sickle cell crisis are managed in the home environment by parents, there is a paucity of current literature exploring the lived experiences of parents in the United States. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study is to explore the lived experiences of parents as they care for their child during a sickle cell crisis without medical intervention such as assistance from clinics, emergency centers and/or hospitals. Husserl’s phenomenology was used as the philosophical framework for this research. Data was collected through semi-structured virtual interviews with two focused questions on the identification and management of the sickle cell crisis. Data collection continued until saturation. Data was analyzed using Colaizzi methodology. Study enrollment concluded with 13 parent participants. One overarching theme emerged from how parents identify a sickle cell crisis within their child: (1) Constant observation and investigation. Three overarching themes emerged from how parents manage a sickle cell crisis within their child: (1) Medication early and around the clock, (2) Home remedies for physical and emotional comfort, and (3) Deciding to receive medical care. This research highlights parents’ quest for comfort for their child as they identify and manage a sickle cell crisis.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Jackson, Andrea Nicole

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• McFarlane, Judith

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Mbango, Catherine
• Loeb, Aaron

• Sickle cell
• Child
• Parent
• Sickle cell crisis management

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/17137

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/17137