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Refereed Publications

  1. Messias, D. K. H. and Gilliss, C. L. and Sparacino, P. S. A. and Tong, E. M. and Foote, D., Stories of transition:  parents recall the diagnosis of congenital heart defect, Family Systems Medicine, vol. 13 no. 3-4 (Fall-Winter, 1995), pp. 367-377 [doi]
    (last updated on 2011/01/30)

    Abstract:
    This study reports the recollected stories of eight parents regarding their experiences of having an infant diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. The qualitative research design incorporated interactive interviews and thematic data analysis, using grounded theory techniques. The results describe various aspects of the parents' transitional experience: something wrong, illusive normality, rude awakening, managing uncertainty, new meanings, and taking stock. Implications are drawn for family practitioners as facilitators of this complex transition.