Facilitating critical reflection in mothers of chronically ill children.

The hybrid model, developed by Schwartz-Barcott & Kim guided the conduct of a study of empowerment in mothers of chronically ill children. Integral to the model of empowerment that emerged from the study was an ongoing process of critical reflection. Through this process, mothers became aware of their strengths, abilities and resources. This paper is an in-depth analysis of the process of critical reflection, which corroborates recent theory on women's development. The process of critical reflection is illuminated by women's ways of knowing, as exemplified in the story of one mother, and by elements of maternal thinking. Implications for nursing practice in working with mothers of chronically ill children are highlighted.