The transactional model of stress and coping as guidance for understanding adolescent patients’ experience with thalassemia: Case report

摘要

Purpose: This case report investigated the transactional model of stress and coping as guidance for nursing care of an adolescent patient with thalassemia. Sources Used: A case study of a 15-year-old female patient with β-thalassemia major. Data were collected using patient medical records, an interview with the patient and physical examination. Results: Four issues related to coping were isolated: Worsening physical symptoms; psychosocial consequences, coping process, and building supportive networks. These issues and the patient’s adaption are explored via the transactional model. Conclusions: Having thalassemia was cognitively appraised by the patient as a stressful and taxing situation with detrimental consequences, such as changes in physical appearance, stigmatization, and depression. Nurses should evaluate each patient’s physical and psychosocial needs, utilizing appropriate theoretical models for designing a suitable care plan. As the case study demonstrates, the transactional model was an effective guide for nurses in planning care of an adolescent patient with thalassemia.