Table 3.
Summary of injury impacts.
| PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE IMPACTS OF THE INJURY |
| Physical impairments: Mobility/ motor functioning problem |
| Sensory impairments: Altered, speech, hearing and vision |
| Physical symptoms: Pain/discomfort, fatigue, breathing difficulties, nausea (vomiting), seizures, headaches, hallucinations, changes in appetite/weight, sleep disturbance, reduced function, mobility, balance and stamina/strength |
| Physical appearance: Scars, bruises, cuts, hair loss, squints, external fixators on limbs and limps |
| Cognitive impairments: Altered abilities/behaviour, memory loss, poor concentration |
| PRACTICAL IMPACTS |
| Child and parent: Demand of bureaucracy and attending multiple appointments |
| Parent:Increased care requirements of injured child, adaptation of working patterns, time off work, loss of income, difficultly with daily chores (shopping, cooking, cleaning) and care of the injured child’s siblings. Increased reliance on family members (especially grandparents), and friends for care of the injured child and/or their siblings |
| Child: Increased dependence on parents/family members. Reduced attendance to school |
| Emotional impactS |
| Child and parent: Post-traumatic stress (panic attacks, flashbacks, loss of motivation, low mood, social withdrawal), feeling: upset, guilty, sad |
| Child:Loss of confidence, feelings of self-consciousness, boredom, frustration, anger and increased need for emotional support |
| Parent: Prioritising of child’s needs before their own, fear/worry about injured child’s recovery/future, difficulty watching child suffer, relief when child recovers, ‘emotional rollercoaster’ |
| POSITIVE IMPACTS |
| Child and parent:New appreciation of life/friends, reassessment of priorities/life goals, increased empathy for those suffering from illness or injury, wanting to be of service to others |
| Child: Bravery, resilience, determination and increased maturity |
| IMPACTS ON FAMILY LIFE |
| Changed responsibilities/roles within the family, increased focus on the injured child, reduced contact between family members whilst the injured child is in hospital |
| SOCIAL IMPACTS |
| Child: Changed friendships: strengthened, broken or new friendships with children with injuries/an illness. Friendship difficulties: maintaining contact with friends during recovery/absence from school, difficulty making new friends when an injury occurs during the school transition |
| Parent: Forming bonds with parents in a similar position |