A Therapeutic Recreation Camp for Children with

Congenital Heart Disease: Examining Impact on the

Psychosocial Well-Being of Parents.

Authors: : Lauren C., White1 Fiona J. Moola. Joel A. Kirsh & Guy E.
J. Faulkner
By: Kemi Akomolafe
Background
• Therapeutic recreation camps have been considered to be an effective
context for improving the psychosocial functioning of children with
congenital heart disease (CHD). However, there is limited research
regarding their impact on parents.
• Camp enabled parents to let their children grow and be independent, and
helped reduce parents’ restricting and overprotective behaviours. Camp
also provided parents with respite care, which alleviated their need to be
‘cardiac’ parents
Methods

• parents must have children between the ages of 8 and 17 years who were
registered for their first time at Camp Oki
• all children must be diagnosed with a congenital heart disease;

• Parents must also speak English fluently.

Data Analysis
• Transcribed data from the first
Class Group 1 Group 2
interview was summarized and
verbally described to the parents
for clarity, accuracy, and Class 1 82 95
confirmation of results during
the beginning of the follow-up Class 2 76 88
interview.
Class 3 84 90
• This experience facilitated a
more in-depth understanding of
the camp experience, and
enabled rapport to be developed
between the lead author and the
participants
Measurements
• The pre and post-test were
conducted Hospital for Sick
Children in the Cardiology clinic
by the lead author. Interviews
were audio-taped and
transcribed verbatim.
• The first interview occurred one
to 3 weeks prior to children
attending Camp Oki in August
2013
• The first interview guide
consisted of questions that
related to the parents’
expectations of Camp Oki and if
they could benefit from their
children’s camp experiences.
• They also did interviews over the
phone and these interviews
lasted about 45- an hour
• Parents were asked to provide
suggestions or advice to other
parents of children with CHD.
The interview guide is available
on request to the first author.
Results
• Parents often described overprotective and restrictive behaviours
throughout their children’s life. Therefore, parents perceived camp as an
opportunity to become less protective and restrictive toward their
children.
• The majority of parents identified that camp reduced their anxiety and
allowed them to worry less about their children’s psychosocial well-being
and physical capabilities,
• They were able to let their children be more independent.

• Participants expressed how camp relieved them of their parenting roles,

where they were able to identify as a ‘couple’ and not just classified as
‘parents’.
Conclusion
• At this end of the study the parents used camp as a tool to reconnect back
to mastery camp experiences. Parents used the camp experience as a
resource to reinforce good behaviors or enhance their children’s self-
esteem. Parents also used the concept of positive camp experiences to
reinforce within themselves that their children can be self-reliant when
unaccompanied.
References
• Home. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2018, from http://childcarelaw.org/

Robertson, T., & Long, T. (2008). Foundation of Therapeutic Recreation.