ABSTRACT
The arduous nature of explaining illness to children makes the task of pursuing theory and effective strategies extremely challenging. Moreover, this venture is founded on the premise that children’s comprehension of their illness is an integral aspect of their medical care experience and thought to aid in their reduction of stress, self-management, and compli-ance with medical advice and regimens (Burbach & Peterson, 1986; Eiser, 1985; Eiser & Eiser, 1987; Potter & Roberts, 1984). For instance, Dorn (1984) suggested:
How effectively one communicates can affect children’s reactions to procedures, compliance with therapy, and knowledge about health and illness…. How one approaches the child, the techniques used, and the language employed determine the degree of success or failure in these interactions. (p. 325)
Understanding existing theory and research, ascertaining the strengths and weaknesses of this literature, and determining future directions are necessary to enhance our understanding of illness explanation to youngsters.
