Experiences of family members of children with cystic fibrosis under the light of Callista Roy

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the experiences of family members of children with cystic fibrosis under the light of the theory of Callista Roy. Method: Qualitative research that used the adaptation theoretical framework of Callista Roy for inductive content analysis. Fifteen family members, in a university hospital, between 23 and 63 years old, participated in the study, from September to October 2018. Results: Two categories were elaborated: “Evaluation of stimuli” and “Evaluation of behaviors”. The first has three subcategories: “focal”, “contextual” and “residual”. And the second, four subcategories: “physiological domain”, “self-concept”, “role function” and “interdependence”. Final Considerations: During the evaluation of stimuli, work overload and stress were identified as focal stimuli. Regarding contextual stimuli, it was noticed that the social life of caregivers was prejudiced. As for residual stimuli, the fear of loss is constant, and it appears that the emotional aspect of family members is the most affected comparing with physical exhaustion.