DEVELOPING RECIPROCAL TRUST IN THE CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIP

A summer camp for ventilator-dependent children provided a natural lab oratory in which to explore the development of a caregiver-child relat ionship. The campers' routine treatments were ''downplayed'' to create a more ''normal'' camp experience while ensuring that the children ha d a safe environment and maintained a stable medical condition. Camper s who normally had consistent home caregivers were observed as they we re caved for by new caregivers. Using grounded theory methods, a model describing four types of relationships-tentative,familiar, mutually p rotective, and connected-was developed. Strategies used by caregiver-c amper dyads to sustain a relationship or to progress to a more intense relationship were identified. Developing reciprocal trust was the bas ic social process that enabled the caregiver and child to reach the go al of becoming connected. Previous camp experience and caregiver conta ct had an impact on the initial degree of trust between camper and car egiver, and subsequently, it influenced the development of the relatio nship. This study provides important information about the role oft ru st in establishing effective caregiving relationships.