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Holmer P, Muehlebach N, Ilic A, Priboi C, Roser K, Raguindin PF, Tinner EM, Baechtold R, Ansari M, Diezi M, Lemmel E, Schilling F, Farrag A, Scheinemann K, Michel G. Exploring grandparents' psychosocial responses to childhood cancer: A qualitative study. Psychooncology 2024; 33:e6304. [PMID: 38363038 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6304] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A childhood cancer diagnosis is a traumatic experience for patients and their families. However, little is known about the effect on grandparents. We aimed to investigate the negative psychosocial impact, coping strategies, and positive outcomes of grandparents of childhood cancer patients in Switzerland. METHODS We collected data using a semi-structured interview guide and applied qualitative content analysis. RESULTS We conducted 20 interviews with 23 grandparents (57% female; mean age = 66.9 years; SD = 6.4; range = 57.0-82.4) of 13 affected children (69% female; mean age = 7.5 years; SD = 6.1; range = 1.0-18.9) between January 2022 and April 2023. The mean time since diagnosis was 1.0 years (SD = 0.5; range = 0.4-1.9). Grandparents were in shock and experienced strong feelings of fear and helplessness. They were particularly afraid of a relapse or late effects. The worst part for most was seeing their grandchild suffer. Many stated that their fear was always present which could lead to tension and sleep problems. To cope with these negative experiences, the grandparents used internal and external strategies, such as accepting the illness or talking to their spouse and friends. Some grandparents also reported positive outcomes, such as getting emotionally closer to family members and appreciating things that had previously been taken for granted. CONCLUSIONS Grandparents suffer greatly when their grandchild is diagnosed with cancer. Encouragingly, most grandparents also reported coping strategies and positive outcomes despite the challenges. Promoting coping strategies and providing appropriate resources could reduce the psychological burden of grandparents and strengthen the whole family system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Holmer
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Nadja Muehlebach
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Anica Ilic
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Priboi
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Roser
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | | | - Eva Maria Tinner
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, University Cancer Center Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Baechtold
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, University Cancer Center Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Ansari
- Cansearch Research Platform for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Department of Women, Child and Adolescent, University Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Diezi
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Center Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eléna Lemmel
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Center Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Freimut Schilling
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Farrag
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Katrin Scheinemann
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Center, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gisela Michel
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
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