The Effects of Retention Control Training and the Urine Alarm on Nocturnal Enuresis and Attributions for the Therapeutic Outcome

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Health Sciences
Degree name
Master of Science
Publisher
University of Canterbury. School of Health Sciences
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2013
Authors
McKenzie, Emily Mary
Abstract

Nocturnal enuresis is one of the most common and pervasive childhood problems. Without effective intervention, the child's nocturnal enuresis may persist. This may result in possible distress and even psychological problems in the child. The current study had two aims. The first aim was to examine the effectiveness of retention control training, and the urine alarm if necessary, as an intervention for primary nocturnal enuresis. The second aim was to explore children's attributions for the therapeutic outcome of the intervention method regarding their nocturnal enuresis. The first aim was important, as previous research has revealed contradictory findings. The second aim was also important, as to date, research has neglected to explore this topic. Six children aged 8 to 12 years and their primary caregivers participated in the current study. Attribution data was obtained at three intervals through one-on-one semi-structured interviews between the researcher and child. Results found that with retention control training: one child achieved nocturnal urinary continence, three children decreased the number of their wet nights, and two children failed to respond. The addition of the urine alarm enabled three more children to achieve nocturnal urinary continence. In terms of attributions, results found that brief psycho-education appeared to have influenced these children‟s attributions. However, overall attribution findings suggested that children perceived researcher assistance, unknown factors, and the techniques used in retention control training to have influenced their success in the achievement of nocturnal urinary continence. These results would help to inform general practitioners and psychologists in terms of intervention recommendations for evidence-based practice, and future research.

Description
Citation
Keywords
primary nocturnal enuresis, nocturnal enuresis, enuresis
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Emily Mary McKenzie