Impact of wish fulfilment
on wish recipient and family
Elizabeth Kelly-Dalgety Starlight Children’s Foundation
Introduction
Results
A seriously ill child or young person’s wellbeing and
quality of life can be enhanced through the granting
of a wish. There is, however, a paucity of research
detailing the potential benefits wish fulfilment can
have on the psychological, social and physical health
of a wish recipient.
Seven key themes emerged from the interviews.
A summary of the themes are provided below:
Starlight has been granting wishes to seriously and
chronically ill children and young people since 1988.
Eligibility is determined by the impact the illness has on
the child/young person. Age category for qualifying for
a wish is generally between 4 and 21 years. Wish referrals
are made through health professionals.
Purpose
To elicit a comprehensive understanding of the impact
granting a wish has on the wellbeing of seriously ill
children, young people and their families.
Method
• E xcitement (e.g. anticipation, enthusiasm, exhilaration)
• Enhanced mood
• Increase in positive affect/emotions (e.g. happiness,
gratitude, optimism)
• External validation of self (e.g. feeling special, valued)
• Enhanced self-evaluation/self-concept (e.g. improved
confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, pride, feeling empowered)
• Personal growth (e.g. attitude and behaviour)
• Encouraged/regained independence
“…He doesn’t have to hold back from what life has
to offer — it’s given him the confidence to think
about what he can do — not what he can’t.”
2. Respite and recreation
•
•
•
•
•
“For myself, it was the time away from here — from
the doctors and the hospitals — being able to relax
and not think about anything — like a breath of
fresh air — being able to unwind and relax.”
• 234 telephone interviews
• A
verage length of interviews 15 minutes
(range 5–58 min)
• Conducted by the Starlight evaluation team
Participant selection and setting
• A
ll families (with the exception of bereaved families)
who had been granted a wish in the previous year
(December 2009 to November 2010)
• Families contacted 6–8 weeks post granting of a wish
reak from daily hassles and routines
B
Distraction/escapism from illness and medical procedures
Reduction in stress
Enhanced relaxation
Renewed energy
3. Physical health
• Increased energy levels
• Increased engagement in physical activity
• Improved stamina, muscle development, physical strength
and mobility
• Reduction in pain and symptoms of illness
• Improved medical compliance
• Reduction in medical treatment
“X goes to the physio once a week and before her
trampoline she couldn’t jump off the mat and now
she can jump 7, 8 times, it’s amazing. The physios
are amazed and really pleased. The more exercise
the better…”
Data collection
• Interview schedule developed — addressed areas
identified in the literature and from discussions with
personnel working closely with wish families
• Piloted with 50 wish recipients/family members
4. Family cohesion
• Detailed notes transcribed
•
•
•
•
•
•
Analysis
• F requency and themed analysis used to analyse
the interview data
• C
oding frames developed and modified as new
themes and subthemes emerged
• Data saturation achieved
Increase in shared positive family experiences
Improved communication and interaction
New ways of perceiving each other
New/renewed appreciation of family members
Strengthening of family bonds
Connection with extended family
“As parents we are more relaxed and as a family
we have a better relationship. As his parents also
we have a better understanding of what X likes.
Because he can’t speak and because we don’t
go anywhere but to the doctors we didn’t know
that he would enjoy the water so much. Also just
spending time together on a holiday you see and
learn things you’d wouldn’t normally about your
children. We understand our children better.”
•
•
•
•
E nhanced social connection and networks
Encouraged shared experiences
Improved peer relationships
Social inclusion supported
“Socially it has been great for her, at this age it’s
the time that kids really start to socialise more
with their friends and sort of start to move away
from that family life just a little bit, so not only
can she have her friends over to enjoy it too, but
it is her own little area [cubby house] that she can
spend time in.”
6. New experiences
•
•
•
•
•
•
onder/awe
W
New ways of seeing/experiencing/understanding the world
Inspired/motivated to try new things
Developed new interests/skills
Aspirations
Change in personal and family behaviours
“He’s much more relaxed and is thinking of a
career in tourism which he probably wouldn’t
have thought of doing before.”
7. Reflection/memories
• R
eminiscing/reflection of illness journey
• Reframing of illness journey with an increased focus
on positive experiences
• Creation of positive memories
“He reflects on his experience a lot. He tells other
kids about his wish. Also when he has down days
or he is feeling low I ask him to think back on the
lovely holiday he had — it brings back joy to him
— it sort of takes his mind off what he is going
through. I would definitely say that the wish has
had a very positive impact on him.”
Participant characteristics
Characteristics
Wish recipient gender
Male
Female
Wish recipient age group
0–4 years
5–9 years
10–14 years
15–19 years
19+ years
Median age 15 years
Ten most frequently reported wish recipients’ primary medical conditions
Cancer
Cerebral palsy
Crohn’s disease
Kidney failure
Muscular dystrophy
Spina bifida
Acquired brain injury (accident)
Congenital heart disease
Epilepsy
Burns
Interview participants
Mother
Father
Wish recipient
Sibling
Other family members
Wish category
Travel
Experience
Tangible
Celebrity
n
126
108
2
43
72
103
14
42
37
11
10
10
10
9
9
8
5
174
21
29
3
7
82
92
25
35
Conclusion
The granting of a wish can have a profound effect on the wellbeing of seriously ill children, young people and their families.
Health professionals can play a significant role in the support and care of seriously ill children/young people and their families by:
(1) alerting families to the potential benefits of wish fulfilment, (2) linking families to support services available to assist in the granting
of a special wish, and (3) by empowering potential wish recipients to begin thinking of a world beyond their illness.
Acknowledgements
The Starlight Children’s Foundation would like to thank all wish recipients and their family members who gave their time and openly shared their experiences to provide Starlight with a rich insight into their wish journey.
ERC 111821
Background
1. Subjective wellbeing
5. Social connectedness