Greek parents’ reactions, difficulties and resources in childhood leukaemia at the time of diagnosis

Abstract

Open-ended interviews were used to examine parental psychological reactions, difficulties and resources during the period following the diagnosis of childhood leukaemia. Data were obtained from 71 randomly selected mothers and fathers of children diagnosed with leukaemia at least 3 months prior to the study. The content analysis revealed a wide diversity of parental responses including many of the defensive mechanisms described in the literature such as shock, denial, anxiety and guilt. The most difficult factors for the parents to deal with during the initial period were the psychological upset and the financial burden. Problems associated with relating to others and to the health care system were also identified. Hope, social support and the marital relationship were the most helpful resources in managing the multifaceted problems caused by the diagnosis. Forty-five per cent of the participants felt that the quality of their marital relationship was improved, whereas fewer reported that the diagnosis seriously disturbed their marriage. Spouses were found to adopt symmetrical rather than complementary ways of responding to and coping with the event. Nurses have a key role in assessing the individual parent, the marital unit and the entire family system and planning appropriate interventions.

Family Adjustment to Childhood Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…Particularly stressful consequences of accommodating the treatment needs of the ill child include changes in income and/or employment status (Enskar et al 1997;Harrington et al 2009;James et al 2002;McGrath et al 2005;Mercer and Ritchie 1997;Neil-Urban and Jones 2002;Nicholas et al 2009;Patistea et al 2000;Patterson et al 2004;Sloper 1996;Wong and Chan 2006). Indeed, a study of 151 families of children receiving active treatment reported that 46% of parents resigned from their jobs or dropped to part time to care for the ill child (James et al 2002).…”

“…Indeed, a study of 151 families of children receiving active treatment reported that 46% of parents resigned from their jobs or dropped to part time to care for the ill child (James et al 2002). Coupled with costs associated with cancer treatment (Mercer and Ritchie 1997), decreased income can cause financial strain (McGrath et al 2005;Mercer and Ritchie 1997;Patistea et al 2000;Patterson et al 2004), which was reported to be present in more than 50% of Greek families of children on active treatment (Patistea et al 2000) and 46% of American families of children with mixed treatment status (Sloper 1996).…”

“…Within descriptive studies of families of children both on and off treatment, some parents indicate marital strain while others report improvement (Fletcher and Clarke 2003;Jones and Neil-Urban 2003;Patistea et al 2000;Quinn 2004). Mothers and fathers generally agree that cancer impacts marriages; however, there is variation regarding the nature and timing thereof (Jones and Neil-Urban 2003;McGrath 2001b;Yeh et al 2000).…”

“…Mothers and fathers generally agree that cancer impacts marriages; however, there is variation regarding the nature and timing thereof (Jones and Neil-Urban 2003;McGrath 2001b;Yeh et al 2000). For example, a descriptive study of parents of children receiving active cancer treatment reports that 38% of Greek families endorse increased marital strain, 45% report improved marital quality, and 17% indicate no change in marital quality after their child's cancer diagnosis (Patistea et al 2000). Similar discrepancies have been documented in American families 6-months post-diagnosis, with 29% of mothers and fathers reporting increased closeness, 56% reporting no changes, and 15% reporting increased marital distance (Sloper 1996).…”

“…One factor hypothesized to contribute to perceived marital closeness is partner support during active treatment (McGrath 2001a, b;Mercer and Ritchie 1997;Patistea et al 2000;Yeh et al 2000;Yiu and Twinn 2001). In general, mothers and fathers of children on active treatment view their spouses as a major source of practical support as evidenced by their involvement in household, childcare, and employment responsibilities (McGrath 2001a, b).…”