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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Main Author: Metzler, Miranda
Format: Online
Language:eng
Created: Oscar Rennebohm Library 2022
Online Access:http://digitalcollections.edgewood.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16315coll4/id/48
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spelling edcoai_p16315coll4-48 The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience Metzler, Miranda 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. Children; Make-a-Wish Foundation; Therapeutic practice; Hope 2022-05 United States eng Text application/pdf ESC-2022-Metzler Oscar Rennebohm Library Non-exclusive permission granted by the copyright holder (author), authorizing the Oscar Rennebohm Library, Edgewood College, to digitize and distribute the work for nonprofit, educational purposes. Commercial use or profit is prohibited. The copyright owner retains all other rights of the work. http://digitalcollections.edgewood.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16315coll4/id/48
institution Edgewood College
collection OJS
language eng
format Online
author Metzler, Miranda
spellingShingle Metzler, Miranda
The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
author_facet Metzler, Miranda
author_sort Metzler, Miranda
title The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
title_short The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
title_full The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
title_fullStr The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
title_full_unstemmed The Therapeutic Benefits of Wishes: Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Make-A-Wish Experience
title_sort therapeutic benefits of wishes: adolescents’ perceptions of their make-a-wish experience
description 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.
publisher Oscar Rennebohm Library
publishDate 2022
url http://digitalcollections.edgewood.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16315coll4/id/48
_version_ 1801568087381639168

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