The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
The Make-A-Wish Foundation provides children and adolescents with life-threatening illnesses the chance to wish for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This research aims to explore the potential benefits of the “wish granting” process and goal-oriented activities. An online survey was used to address t...
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| Format: | Online |
| Language: | eng |
| Created: |
Oscar Rennebohm Library
2022
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| Online Access: | http://digitalcollections.edgewood.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16315coll4/id/48 |
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| Summary: | The Make-A-Wish Foundation provides children and adolescents with life-threatening
illnesses the chance to wish for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This research aims to
explore the potential benefits of the “wish granting” process and goal-oriented activities.
An online survey was used to address the research questions that explore wish recipients’
perceptions on the therapeutic benefits of the Make-A-Wish wish-planning and wish-
granting and the potential impact wishes have on children’s sense of hope. Participants
included children between the ages of 13 and 17 who had received a wish within the last
10 years. No specific demographic information was collected. Participants completed an
online Qualtrics survey consisting of statements on a 5-point Likert scale and one open-
ended question. Three common themes found include 1) being told of the many wish
options, 2) choosing their own wish based on their interests, and 3) feeling in control and
a part of the decision-making process. Participants’ overall perceptions of wish
experiences were also found to be positive and therapeutic. Future research should
examine the therapeutic components of goal-oriented activities, and well as implement
more questions and statements that focus specifically on wish recipients’ sense of hope
and their perceptions of their health following their wish experience. |
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