The effects of chronic childhood illness on families.

Chronic illness in childhood has massive physical, social and psychological effects on families who, in addition to fulfilling their usual duties, roles and obligations, are expected to meet the needs arising from the child's illness. This constitutes a severe disruption to the ordinary continuity of family life. This paper and examines the effect of cystic fibrosis on families. It gives a brief overview of the physiological nature of cystic fibrosis, examines the effect of diagnosis on other members of the family and the process of adjustment they go through to accept the condition. Although CF has been chosen specifically, the effects on the family resemble those of most chronic conditions.