Learning Objective #1: Describe key factors that school-age children identify as important to their quality of life

Learning Objective #2: Discuss conducting developmentally appropriate qualitative interviews with school-aged children

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a qualitative interview guide with healthy school aged children to 1) determine developmental appropriateness and feasibility and 2) describe their perceptions of their quality of life (QOL). The interview questions were based upon those used by Hinds et al. The appropriateness of questions has not been determined for children less than 8 years of age or with other illnesses other than cancer. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 6 healthy 6 to 11 year old children. Each child was asked to draw a picture of him/herself on a good day to initiate the interview. This was followed by semi-structured discussion using the interview guide as an outline. Interviews were audio recorded and interview transcripts were entered into Ethnograph. Data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison. Findings: Children as young as 6 years of age provided relevant, detailed answers to the questions. They described friends, play, school and family as the key factors impacting QOL with friends and play as the most important. School provided a setting for interaction with friends. However, “getting good grades” and “staying out of trouble” in school were also important. Family appeared to be secondary factor with the younger children describing the importance of being with parents and the older children describing negative interactions with siblings and being “in trouble” with parents. Four of the 6 children described the negative impact of teasing, bullying and fighting on QOL. Discussion: The interview guide and techniques are appropriate for use healthy school aged children. Drawing is an effective means of developing rapport and easing children into a detailed discussion of their lives. The key factors identified by healthy children will provide a basis of comparison with those described by chronically ill children.