PERSPECTIVES OF PARENTS ON THE MEANING OF HAPPINESS IN CHILDREN WITH LONG-TERM ILLNESS: A HYBRID CONCEPT ANALYSIS

Abstract

Aim: To define the concept of happiness among children with chronic disease. Background: Happiness is an old human quest, the existing literature on the definition of happiness among children with chronic diseases is sparse. Methods: The three-phase hybrid model was used. In the first (theoretical) phase, a literature review was conducted. In the second (fieldwork) phase, the semi-structured interview data were analysed through content analysis. Ten participants were purposively sampled. In the third (final analytic) phase, the practical definition of the concept was identified. Results: The practical definition of happiness in a Ghanaian chronically ill child is the “subjective and positive lifelong process of adapting to biological, physiological, psychosocial, economic and environmental changes caused by the disease trajectory, which affects the well-being of the child and the family.” Conclusions: This study offers a background for selecting appropriate health indicators and outcome measures in promoting happiness in children with chronic diseases.