Adolescents and parents experiencing parental cancer: construction of a nursing intervention model

OBJECTIVE

To develop a nursing intervention model for adolescents and parents experiencing parental cancer.

METHOD

Multimethod research, which integrated five studies: a scoping review and four qualitative studies. Considering the results of these studies, a nursing intervention model was constructed based on two theoretical frameworks, such as the A Model of Children's Adjustment to Parental Cancer, for adolescents, and Neuman Systems Model, for parents, and on a semantic framework, such as Nursing Ontology.

RESULTS

The model is aimed at three target audiences: individual - parental figure with cancer; individual - adolescent; and family - parental figure with cancer, second parental figure and adolescent. The model is based on health literacy and includes four topics that address central topics in the experience of parental cancer: "The elephant in the room"; "Everything changes in us"; "Life goes on"; and "With the present, we plan the future".

CONCLUSION

The proposed model is assumed as a health promotion strategy that empowers nurses for a family-centered intervention, in order to minimize the impact of parental cancer.

"We're not educated on that enough, and we really should be": adolescents' views of mental health service education

PURPOSE

Despite the susceptibility to the experience of mental distress during adolescence, this population often demonstrate poor help-seeking behaviours. Efforts have been made by schools to address adolescents' knowledge around mental health; less focus has been given to addressing their knowledge of mental health services and avenues for help-seeking. This study aimed to explore adolescents' views of mental health services education.

METHODS

An interpretive descriptive design was adopted. Thirty adolescents from Ireland participated in individual interviews. Data were analysed using content analysis.

TWO THEMES WERE IDENTIFIED

Recognizing Gaps in Knowledge about Mental Health Service Education, and Enhancing Mental Health Service Education for Young People. Participants reported gaps in their knowledge about mental health services and were uncertain how to access help. Current strategies (e.g., print media) were considered tokenistic and ineffective; instead, multimedia (film/TV) approaches were recommended.

RESULTS

Two themes were identified: Recognizing Gaps in Knowledge about Mental HealthService Education, and Enhancing Mental Health Service Education for YoungPeople. Participants reported gaps in their knowledge about mental healthservices and were uncertain how to access help. Current strategies (e.g., print media) were considered tokenistic and ineffective; instead, multimedia (film/TV) approaches were recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

Current mental health education programmes need to expand their focus beyond social/emotional well-being, providing adolescents with the knowledge they need to access appropriate supports. Considering traditional print media was viewed as ineffective, while film/TV had an influence on perceptions of mental health services, a multimedia approach to education may be an effective way of engaging this population.

A case study of an adolescent according to A Model of Children's Adjustment to Parental Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To describe and analyze the experience of an adolescent experiencing parental cancer, based on A Model of Children's Adjustment to Parental Cancer, and to prescribe nursing interventions in classified language.

METHOD

This is a single case study, qualitative, of a 16-year-old adolescent experiencing maternal cancer. We analyzed a semi-structured interview, based on a script conceptualized by the selected theoretical model. Data processing took place through content analysis. Authorization was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee TI 25/2020.

RESULTS

The analysis of the adolescent's interview allowed identifying categories in agreement with the model variables. Psychosocial adjustment dimensions and stress response symptoms, such as academic performance and somatic symptoms, were recognized in the adolescent's adjustment process. Nursing interventions will focus on education and support.

CONCLUSION

The theoretical model contributed to assess the needs of adolescents experiencing parental cancer, allowing nursing interventions to be prescribed in classified language that consider moderating and mediating variables, promoting adjustment. The model proved to be suitable for future interventions for adolescents experiencing similar situations.

“I Personally Wouldn’t Know Where to Go”: Adolescents’ Perceptions of Mental Health Services

The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of mental health services from the perspectives of adolescents with no prior service experience. Thirty students in the Transition Year (fourth year) of secondary school participated in this study: 22 females and 8 males, aged 15 to 16. There was equal distribution across rural and urban settings. Participants had no prior experience of accessing mental health services. Data were collected in secondary school settings in the Republic of Ireland. An interpretive description approach guided this study. Data were collected through individual interviews. To complement interviews, participants drew images of mental health care environments and mental health staff members; drawings were not subjected to analysis. Data (participant interviews) were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three themes were identified. Participants suggested that “mental health services” differed from “psychiatric services,” with the latter term perceived more negatively. Uncertainty about how to access these services was voiced. Considering the vulnerability of adolescents to the experience of mental distress, education around mental health services is warranted. It is expected that provision of education in this area would enhance service delivery, improve adolescents’ help-seeking behaviors for mental distress, and reduce stigma.

VIVÊNCIA DO CANCRO PARENTAL: ESTUDO DE CASO COM APLICAÇÃO DO MODELO DE NEUMAN

RESUMO Objetivo compreender à luz do Modelo de Sistemas de Betty Neuman, a experiência de uma mulher-mãe a vivenciar uma situação de cancro; identificar as necessidades da mulher-mãe e prescrever intervenções de enfermagem em linguagem classificada. Método estudo de caso do tipo qualitativo, de uma mulher-mãe de um adolescente, a vivenciar cancro. Colheita de dados realizada em Coimbra, Portugal, em 2021, através de entrevista semiestruturada, apoiada por um guião fundamentado no Modelo de Betty Neuman. Tratamento de dados realizado com base na análise de conteúdo categorial. Resultados a análise do discurso da mãe possibilitou identificar categorias concordantes com as variáveis do modelo: fisiológicas, psicológicas, socioculturais, espirituais e desenvolvimentais. As dificuldades mais expressas pela mãe foram o medo, alterações provocadas pela doença e o desempenho do papel parental. Os diagnósticos de enfermagem foram definidos com base nos focos “aceitação do estado de saúde”, “medo”, “papel parental” e “coping familiar”, associando-os às respetivas intervenções de enfermagem. As intervenções focaram-se no apoio e na educação. Conclusão o modelo teórico contribuiu para compreender e identificar as necessidades da mãe a experienciar o cancro parental, facilitando a prescrição de intervenções de enfermagem em linguagem classificada. O modelo mostrou-se pertinente para futuras intervenções em pais a vivenciar situações semelhantes.

Estudo de caso de um adolescente segundo o Modelo Teórico do Ajuste ao Cancro Parental

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever e analisar experiência de um adolescente a vivenciar cancro parental, fundamentado no Modelo Teórico do Ajuste dos Adolescentes ao Cancro Parental, e prescrever intervenções de enfermagem em linguagem classificada. Método: estudo de caso único, tipo qualitativo, de adolescente de 16 anos de idade a vivenciar cancro da mãe. Analisou-se uma entrevista semiestruturada, baseada em um roteiro concetualizado pelo modelo teórico selecionado. Tratamento de dados ocorreu através de análise de conteúdo. Obteve-se autorização da Comissão de Ética TI 25/2020. Resultados: a análise da entrevista do adolescente permitiu identificar categorias concordantes com as variáveis do modelo. As dimensões de ajuste psicossocial e sintomas de resposta ao estress, como performance acadêmica e sintomas somáticos, foram reconhecidas no processo de ajuste do adolescente. As intervenções de enfermagem serão focadas na educação e apoio. Conclusão o modelo teórico contribuiu para avaliar as necessidades do adolescente a vivenciar cancro parental, permitindo prescrever intervenções de enfermagem em linguagem classificada que considerem variáveis moderadoras e mediadoras, promovendo-se o ajuste. O modelo demonstrou ser adequado para futuras intervenções a adolescentes a experienciar situações semelhantes.

EXPERIENCING PARENTAL CANCER: A CASE STUDY WITH APPLICATION OF NEUMAN’S MODEL

ABSTRACT Objective to understand, in the light of Betty Neuman’s Systems Model, the experience of a woman-mother with cancer, and identify the woman-mother’s needs and prescribe nursing interventions in classified language. Method a qualitative case study of a woman-mother of a teenager experiencing cancer. Data collection carried out in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2021, through a semi-structured interview, supported by a script based on Betty Neuman’s Systems Model. Data processing performed based on categorical content analysis. Results the analysis of a mother’s speech made it possible to identify categories in agreement with the model variables: physiological, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual and developmental. The difficulties most expressed by the mother were fear, changes caused by the disease and parental role performance. The nursing diagnoses were defined based on the focuses “acceptance of health status”, “fear”, “parental role” and “family coping”, associating them with the respective nursing interventions. Interventions focused on support and education. Conclusion the theoretical model contributed to understanding and identifying the needs of a mother experiencing parental cancer, facilitating the prescription of nursing interventions in classified language. The model proved to be relevant for future interventions in parents experiencing similar situations.