“I’m walking on eggshells”: challenges faced by mothers with breast cancer in interacting with adolescent daughters

Abstract

Background With breast cancer becoming the most diagnosed cancer in the world, the number of breast cancer-afflicted mothers with adolescent daughters is also rising. Further, adolescent daughters’ mothers serve as role models for in identity formation processes, especially concerning gender and sexuality. Nevertheless, breast cancer threats mother’s health, including such a key symbol of her womanhood—the breast—which may adversely affect the development of an adolescent daughter’s own sense of personal identity and womanhood. However, few researchers and practitioners have paid attention to mother-daughter interactions in the context of breast cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to uncover the nuances of the interactive challenges with adolescent daughters from breast cancer-afflicted mothers’ perspective. Methods We conducted a qualitative study following the sample saturation principle, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with 21 breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria. We utilized thematic analysis and partially integrated the Foucauldian discourse approach to analyze the data. Results Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) mothers are lost in chaos (inability to handle the shock of cancer, feelings of powerlessness about the uncertainty of their life span, and confusion about how to respond to daughter’s curiosity); (2) mothers struggle to maintain balance (torn between protecting daughters and letting them be independent, and making a tough choice between being a mother or a patient); and (3) mothers are immersed in guilt (increasing daughters’ risk of cancer, influencing daughters’ development, and imposing burdens on daughters). Conclusions Our research explored the interactive experience of breast cancer-afflicted mothers and adolescent daughters. The insights uncovered by this study will help mothers enhance interaction with their daughters and assist health practitioners in devising interventions.

Maternal Cancer and Perception of Child Psychological Adjustment: The Role of Mother’s Anxiety, Depression, and Parenting Stress

“…However, more research is needed to further analyze this topic. For instance, it might be hypothesized that daughters, with respect to sons, could be more concerned with specific types of cancer that involve female aspects of the body (such as breasts, ovaries, and uterus) [34]. This could be an interesting issue to explore in subsequent research.…”

Adolescents' needs for information and psychosocial support during their mother's breast cancer trajectory: A systematic review

“…We found that changed family roles due to a mother's breast cancer diagnosis impacted adolescents. Previous research found that mothers experience various challenges in interacting with adolescents about breast cancer due to feelings of guilt, uncertainty about their own life span and how to respond to adolescents' curiosity, and being a mother or patient, leading them to underestimate and ignore adolescents' thoughts and wishes 21,22,24 . Zahlis 67 and Mazaheri et al 22 .…”

“…Previous research found that mothers experience various challenges in interacting with adolescents about breast cancer due to feelings of guilt, uncertainty about their own life span and how to respond to adolescents' curiosity, and being a mother or patient, leading them to underestimate and ignore adolescents' thoughts and wishes. 21,22,24 Zahlis 67 and Mazaheri et al 22 reported that mothers who usually notice small changes in their children's behavior could fail to notice changes due to their shock at a breast cancer diagnosis. Tavares et al 68 report that mothers need support in communicating with their children and dealing with their children's responses and difficult questions related to breast cancer.…”

“…Many find themselves in a situation in which it is difficult to identify and share thoughts and emotions with peers, which usually is a normal part of an adolescent's developmental process of becoming more self‐reliant 7,14,16,18 . Access to reliable information is important for adolescents to cope with their mother's breast cancer, 4,7,19,20 but many parents experience difficulties communicating with their children about breast cancer 15,19,21–24 . The potential for high dissonance between the developmental needs of the adolescent, the fear of losing their mother, and the lack of information and a place to share thoughts and feelings can interrupt adolescent development 4,7,15,16,19,20,25–27 .…”

“…7,14,16,18 Access to reliable information is important for adolescents to cope with their mother's breast cancer, 4,7,19,20 but many parents experience difficulties communicating with their children about breast cancer. 15,19,[21][22][23][24] The potential for high dissonance between the developmental needs of the adolescent, the fear of losing their mother, and the lack of information and a place to share thoughts and feelings can interrupt adolescent development. 4,7,15,16,19,20,[25][26][27] However, just as adolescents are susceptible to negative influences, they are susceptible to positive influences, even in times of crisis.…”