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Atout M, Hasan AAH, Alkharabsheh AAH, Al-Tobasi AM, Ali AM. A narrative inquiry into the communication experiences of mothers caring for children with cancer in Jordan. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 76:e132-e139. [PMID: 38453545 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to investigate the parenting experiences of mothers who care for children with cancer in Jordan and specifically focuses on the communication experiences of mothers who care for children with cancer. METHODOLOGY A qualitative research design employing a narrative inquiry methodology was adopted; it employed the implementation of twenty semi-structured interviews with the mothers of children with cancer recruited from one pediatric hospital located in Amman, Jordan. FINDINGS The findings of this study reveal that the majority of mothers attempted to conceal or delay any discussion regarding the diagnosis with their child, particularly during the immediate post-diagnosis period. Additionally, the mothers expressed that their relationships with the parents of children diagnosed with the same illness contain positive and negative aspects. Finally, most mothers participating in this study praised the role of hope in helping them cope with the challenging health condition of their children. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study reveal that mothers would withhold diagnostic information from their children for several reasons: firstly, they wished to safeguard their children from feelings of distress; secondly, they perceived that their children were too immature to fully comprehend the seriousness of their diagnosis; and, finally, they desired to protect their children from unnecessary fear and negative emotions. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Pediatric cancer care requires effective communication between physicians, pediatric nurses, caregivers, and children; clear and accurate communication between healthcare providers and parents of children with cancer ensures that they fully understand the diagnosis and can make values-based decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Atout
- Faculty of Nursing, Philadelphia University, Jarash Road, P.O. Box 19392, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Abd Al-Hadi Hasan
- Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Adnan Mahmmoud Al-Tobasi
- Faculty of Arts, Department of Counseling Psychology, Philadelphia University, Jarash Road, P.O. Box 19392, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Amira M Ali
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21527, Egypt.
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Fisher RS, Dattilo TM, DeLone AM, Basile NL, Kenney AE, Hill KN, Chang HF, Gerhardt CA, Mullins LL. The study of psychosocial outcomes of parents bereaved by pediatric illness: a scoping review of methodology and sample composition. J Pediatr Psychol 2024; 49:207-223. [PMID: 38423530 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Parents of children who died of a medical condition experience a range of psychosocial outcomes. The current scoping review aims to summarize the outcomes assessed, methodology, and sample characteristics of recent psychosocial research conducted with this population. METHODS Included studies were limited to peer-reviewed, psychosocial outcomes research published between August 2011 and August 2022, written in English, and including caregiver study participants of children who died of a medical condition. Data sources were scholarly journal articles from 9 electronic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Primer, ProQuest Research Library, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool-2018 evaluated methodological quality. RESULTS The study sample included 106 studies, most of which were either qualitative (60%) or quantitative (29%). Mixed-methods studies (8%) and randomized clinical trials (2%) were also identified. Study quality was variable, but most studies met all quality criteria (73%). Studies primarily represented cancer populations (58%), White participants (71%), and mothers (66%). Risk-based psychosocial outcomes (e.g., grief) were more commonly assessed than resilience-based outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The current scoping review revealed that recent research assessing the psychosocial outcomes of bereaved parents is limited in the representation of diverse populations, primarily qualitative, of broadly strong methodological quality, and oriented to psychosocial risk. To enhance the state of the science and inform evidence-based psychosocial services, future research should consider varied methodologies to comprehensively assess processes of risk and resilience with demographically and medically diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Taylor M Dattilo
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Alexandra M DeLone
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Nathan L Basile
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Ansley E Kenney
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Kylie N Hill
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Hui-Fen Chang
- William E. Brock Memorial Library, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Larry L Mullins
- Department of Psychology, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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Son H, Haase JE, Docherty SL. The Concept of Double Protection in the Childhood Cancer Context. Cancer Nurs 2023; 46:335-343. [PMID: 37607369 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000001112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concept of double protection is used to describe communication avoidance used by parents and their child or adolescents with cancer in attempts to protect the other against disease-related stress and emotions, resulting from communication about the cancer, its treatment, and thoughts. This concept has received limited attention in the research literature. OBJECTIVES The aims of this concept analysis are to (1) explore its defining characteristics, applicability, and utility, (2) spotlight the concept and increase awareness and interest among healthcare providers and researchers, and (3) provide a direction for future interventions to improve parent-child communication in the childhood cancer context. METHODS Rodgers' Evolutionary Concept Analysis was used, and the findings from a study that explored the communication experience of Korean adolescents with cancer and their parents were integrated. RESULTS This study explored the attributes, antecedents, consequences, and related terms. The following attributes were extracted: intention to protect, bidirectional, and absence of parent-child communication at a deeper level. CONCLUSION Clarification of the concept of double protection provides insight into the concept as a barrier to engagement in parent-child communication and supports the significance of double protection in the childhood cancer context. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There is a need for increased awareness of the challenges and dangers inherent in family communication avoidance, double protection. In order to address the issue, developing developmentally appropriate and valid clinical assessment tool and interventions are required. More research on the evidence-based benefits of effective parent-child communication is also required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heeyeon Son
- Author Affiliations: School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Mrs Heeyeon Son and Dr Docherty); and School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana (Dr Haase)
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Cowfer BA, Dietrich MS, Akard TF. Effect of time on quality of parent-child communication in pediatric cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29091. [PMID: 34165883 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diagnosis of childhood cancer results in new parent-child communication challenges. Little is known about how communication changes over time after diagnosis or relapse. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of time since diagnosis and relapse on quality of parent-child communication. We hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between time and quality of parent-child communication. METHODS Cross-sectional study in children (7-17 years) with relapsed/refractory cancer and their caregivers, who spoke English, were not cognitively impaired, and had internet access. Parents were recruited through Facebook ads. Parents and children completed the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS), a 20-item measure of communication quality, with openness and problem subscales. Spearman's rho (rs ) coefficients assessed correlations between PACS scores and time since diagnosis/relapse. RESULTS There was a statistically significant negative correlation between parent PACS scores and time since child's cancer diagnosis (rs = -0.21, p = .02), indicating a tendency for overall worsening communication as time since diagnosis increased. There was a positive correlation between the parent PACS problem scores and time since diagnosis (rs = +0.22, p = .01), indicating more problematic communication as time since diagnosis increased. Correlations of time since relapse and PACS scores were small and not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Parent-child communication worsens over time following a child's cancer diagnosis with more communication problems, contrary to our hypothesis. Future studies are needed to evaluate intervention timing to best support parent-child communication beyond the new-diagnosis period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A Cowfer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology , Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mary S Dietrich
- Vanderbilt University Schools of Nursing and Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Terrah Foster Akard
- Vanderbilt University Schools of Nursing and Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Vig PS, Lim JY, Lee RWL, Huang H, Tan XH, Lim WQ, Lim MBXY, Lee ASI, Chiam M, Lim C, Baral VR, Krishna LKR. Parental bereavement - impact of death of neonates and children under 12 years on personhood of parents: a systematic scoping review. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:136. [PMID: 34481491 PMCID: PMC8418708 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Losing a child tragically impacts the well-being and functioning of parents. With these effects extending beyond emotional, physical morbidity and compromising self-perceptions, appropriate, longitudinal, timely and personalised support is key to effective care of bereaved parents. However, in the absence of a comprehensive understanding of parental bereavement, effective support of bereaved parents remains suboptimal. To address this gap, we scrutinise prevailing data on the effects of a child's death, aged 0-12 years, through the lens of the Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP). METHODS To study prevailing accounts of bereaved parents following the death of a child, we adopt Krishna's Systematic Evidence Based Approach (SEBA) to structure our Systematic Scoping Review (SSR in SEBA). RESULTS Three thousand seventy-four abstracts were reviewed, 160 full text articles were evaluated, and 111 articles were included and analysed using thematic and content analysis. Four themes/categories were identified relating to the four rings of the RToP. Findings reveal that static concepts of protective and risk factors for grief are misplaced and that the support of healthcare professionals is key to assisting bereaved parents. CONCLUSION In the absence of consistent support of bereaved parents, this study highlights the need for effective training of healthcare professionals, beginning with an appreciation that every aspect of an individual parent's personhood is impacted by the loss of their child. Acknowledging grief as a complex, evolving and personalised process subjected to parental characteristics, settings, context and available support, this SSR in SEBA calls attention to effective nurturing of the relationship between parents and healthcare professionals, and suggests use of the RToP to assess and direct personalised, timely, specific support of parents in evolving conditions. We believe the findings of this review also call for further studies to support healthcare professionals as they journey with bereaved parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Simran Vig
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Jia Yin Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Randal Wei Liang Lee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Huixin Huang
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Xiu Hui Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Wei Qiang Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Marie Bernadette Xin Yi Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Alexia Sze Inn Lee
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Min Chiam
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
| | - Crystal Lim
- Medical Social Services, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Block 3 Level 1, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
| | - Vijayendra Ranjan Baral
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Block 5 Level 4, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Lalit Kumar Radha Krishna
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore, 119228 Singapore
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
- Division of Cancer Education, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610 Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
- Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, Academic Palliative & End of Life Care Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Blk MD11, 10 Medical Drive, #02-03, Singapore, 117597 Singapore
- PalC, The Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, PalC c/o Dover Park Hospice, 10 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308436 Singapore
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Rd, Liverpool, L3 9TA UK
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Examining the Experiences and Support Needs of Bereaved Parents After the Death of a Child During Early Adulthood From Cancer. Cancer Nurs 2021; 45:E719-E727. [PMID: 34483281 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000000998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents experience unique grief, which may be experienced differently by mothers and fathers. A lack of knowledge about the particular bereavement experiences of the parents of young adults exists. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate experiences and support needs of parents after the death of a child (aged 16-29 years) from cancer, exploring changes over time. METHODS The study used a Charmazian constructivist grounded theory approach. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 parents (7 mothers and 4 fathers) purposefully sampled and bereaved between 15 months and 7 years. Data were analyzed inductively using the constant comparative approach for category development. RESULTS "Living with continual loss" emerged as the core category central to parents' experiences of bereavement. Feelings of continual loss were compounded by parents' lack of information ("grieving in the dark") and a perceived lack of understanding from families and friends ("grieving alone"). Parents discovered strategies to manage the feeling of loss: "changing routines," "preserving the meaning of home," "maintaining memories and presence," and "sharing experiences." CONCLUSIONS This is the first study focusing solely on the experiences and support needs of bereaved parents of young adults who have died of cancer. Parents live with a continual sense of loss irrespective of the length of bereavement, and a lack of bereavement information and empathetic emotional support can exist. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The need for improved information giving and development of peer support for bereaved parents has been identified. Cancer centers have a continuing role in developing and providing this support.
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Plews-Ogan E, Keywan C, Morris SE, Goldstein RD. The parental role before and after SIDS. DEATH STUDIES 2021; 46:2316-2326. [PMID: 34101544 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1936296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Role confusion is a prominent constituent symptom of Prolonged Grief Disorder in parents after their infants die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We interviewed 31 parents of SIDS infants 2-5 years post-loss examining the parental role before death, at the time of loss, and in bereavement. Thematic analysis found disruption of the role and re-imagined responsibilities for their child's physical security, emotional security, and meaning. Tasks within these domains changed from concrete and apparent to representational and self-generated. Parents in bereavement locate ongoing, imperative parental responsibilities, particularly asserting their child's meaningful place in the world and in their family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Plews-Ogan
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine Keywan
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sue E Morris
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard D Goldstein
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Parents' views on what facilitated or complicated their grief after losing a child to cancer. Palliat Support Care 2020; 19:524-529. [PMID: 33239119 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951520001212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The loss of a child is a devastating event, and bereaved parents often suffer intense and long-lasting grief reactions and are at risk for psychological symptoms. More knowledge about how parents cope with grief may improve the support to bereaved parents. This study, therefore, aimed to explore parents' views on what facilitated or complicated their grief coping after losing a child to cancer. METHODS This study was derived from a nationwide postal survey. Cancer-bereaved parents (n = 161) provided written responses to two open-ended questions: "Is there anything that has helped you cope with your grief after your child's death?" and "Is there anything that made it difficult for you to cope with your grief?" Content analysis was used to analyze the responses. RESULTS Parents reported that a supportive social network of family and friends, and having remaining children, facilitated their coping with grief. Meeting professional counselors and meeting other bereaved parents, connecting to memories of the deceased child in various contexts, including school and pediatric care settings, were also reported facilitating grief coping. Parents stated that the following experiences had complicated grief coping: additional losses in their family or social network; not being able to share emotions with their partner; when they perceived that friends, relatives, or colleagues lacked empathy or patience; when they felt challenging demands from employers at a too early stage. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS This study contributes to the understanding of parents' grief experiences and what has facilitated or complicated their coping with grief, which can help health care professionals and others improve bereavement support services.
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Son H, Yang Y, Crego N, Docherty SL. Communication Challenges in Korean Families Coping With Adolescent Cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 2020; 47:E190-E198. [PMID: 33063788 DOI: 10.1188/20.onf.e190-e198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the family communication experience of Korean adolescents with cancer and their parents, including how adolescents and their parents verbally share feelings and concerns related to the adolescent's cancer diagnosis with one another, and how emotional communication affects parent-adolescent relationships and the family's coping abilities. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING 20 participants (10 adolescents with cancer, aged 13-19 years, and their parents) at a university-affiliated hospital in Seoul, South Korea. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Individual, semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on a qualitative descriptive approach. Conventional content analysis was employed to analyze the data. FINDINGS The overarching core theme developed from the content analysis and theme generation was "I cannot share my feelings." This core theme is represented by three main themes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Increased need for nursing awareness and culturally relevant assessment of emotional family communication needs between Korean adolescents with cancer and their family caregivers are necessary.
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Parents' Wishes for What They Had or Had Not Done and Their Coping After Their Infant's or Child's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit/Emergency Department Death. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2020; 21:333-343. [PMID: 30933014 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
This qualitative study asked 70 mothers and 26 fathers 3 open-ended questions on what they wish they had and had not done and on coping 2, 4, 6, and 13 months after their infant's/child's neonatal intensive care unit/pediatric intensive care unit/emergency department death. Mothers wished they spent more time with the child, chosen different treatments, advocated for care changes, and allowed the child his or her wishes. Fathers wished they had spent more time with the child and gotten care earlier. Mothers wished they had not agreed to child's surgery/treatment, taken her own actions (self-blame), and left the hospital before the death. Fathers wished they had not been so hard on the child, agreed with doctors/treatment, and taken own actions (self-blame). Religious activities, caring for herself, and talking about/with the deceased child were the most frequent mothers' coping strategies; those of the fathers were caring for self and religious activities. Both mothers and fathers wished they had spent more time with their child and had not agreed to surgery/treatments. The most frequent coping was caring for themselves, likely to care for the family and retain employment. Nurses must be sensitive to parents' need for time with their infant/child before and after death and to receive information on child's treatments at levels and in languages they understand.
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Parents: Wish I had done, wish I had not done, and coping after child NICU/PICU death. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2019; 31:175-183. [DOI: 10.1097/jxx.0000000000000110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Staff's Experiences of Preparing and Caring for Children With Cancer and Their Families During the Child's Radiotherapy. Cancer Nurs 2018; 42:E10-E18. [PMID: 30085946 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000000635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one-third of children diagnosed with cancer are treated with radiotherapy (RT). Staff experiences of preparing and distracting the children and their families during a child's RT are sparsely described. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe staff experiences of preparing and caring for children with cancer and their families during the child's RT. INTERVENTION/METHODS Semistructured interviews with staff were performed at 3 Swedish RT centers. The interviews were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The analysis revealed 5 categories summarizing the staff members' experiences. These include the following: experiences of various emotions; care for the child and the child's family; commitments before, during, and after RT; organizational issues; and experiences of the intervention and suggestions for improvement. CONCLUSIONS The preparatory intervention facilitated the ability of staff members to conduct their work, although the intervention should be specifically tailored to each child. Meeting children and their families and providing care to both during RT were challenging. The staff strived to provide optimal care for each child and family. Interdisciplinary teamwork and organizational acceptance for the importance of preparation and distraction were essential. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE A future challenge will be to provide opportunities for all staff involved in the treatment of children with cancer to develop their skills continuously in order to provide high-quality preparation and distraction to all children undergoing RT, regardless of the geographical location of the RT center.
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Mooney-Doyle K, Dos Santos MR, Szylit R, Deatrick JA. Parental expectations of support from healthcare providers during pediatric life-threatening illness: A secondary, qualitative analysis. J Pediatr Nurs 2017; 36:163-172. [PMID: 28888498 PMCID: PMC5659330 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSES To explain parental expectations of support from healthcare providers for their parenting roles and goals during a child's life-threatening illness (LTI). DESIGN AND METHODS Qualitative interpretive study guided by the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response Model. Thematic analyses were conducted with data from 31 semi-structured interviews of parents of children with LTI using systematic strategies to ensure rigor including audit trails and prolonged engagement. RESULTS We identified three themes and one meta-theme or overall theme: (1) "Help us survive this," (2) "Let's fight together: please fight with me, not against me, to care for my family," and (3) "Guide me through the darkness: I am suffering." Overall, the parents conveyed that they expect mutuality with the health care providers and system in order to keep Fighting together for my family survival. CONCLUSIONS In the daily work of caring for their families, parents of children with LTI consider survival on multiple levels. They consider the life, illness, and potential death of one child while considering the on-going survival and sustenance of family relationships. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Parents are distressed and grapple with conflicted feelings about managing competing needs of various family members. Relationships with health care providers can influence parents' management of the situation and be a source of support as their parenting role changes over the illness trajectory, time, and in response to adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Mooney-Doyle
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | | | - Regina Szylit
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Nursing, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janet A Deatrick
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Carreño Moreno S, Chaparro Díaz L, López Rangel R. Encontrar sentido para continuar viviendo el reto al perder un hijo por cáncer infantil: revisión integrativa. PERSONA Y BIOÉTICA 2017. [DOI: 10.5294/pebi.2017.21.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
La experiencia de perder un hijo por cáncer representa para los padres una carga emocional de alto impacto individual, familiar y social que no finaliza con la muerte. Esta revisión integrativa tuvo como objetivo identificar aspectos clave en la experiencia de perder un hijo como consecuencia del cáncer infantil. Los resultados mostraron un patrón (búsqueda de sentido) que rodea seis momentos del proceso de duelo, que pueden ser elementos de intervención para acompañar el proceso de afrontamiento de los padres. Se concluye que este patrón es un fenómeno importante para el desarrollo del área de cuidado paliativo al final de la vida y posterior.
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Björk M, Sundler AJ, Hallström I, Hammarlund K. Like being covered in a wet and dark blanket – Parents' lived experiences of losing a child to cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2016; 25:40-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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