Informal Social Support: A Collaborative Stress Management Initiative for Mothers of Cancer Children

Abstract

Diagnosis of childhood cancer represents one of the most sever stressors for the children's mothers. There is limited evidence of research directed toward assisting mothers of cancer children to develop strategies to cope with the complex experiences associated with the diagnosis of their children at the time of the diagnosis, and before their reaction to stress recognized. The current study is a pilot project sought to investigate the potential of a new type of initiative based on the idea of providing the mothers of cancer children with informal social support, were the support initiated in collaboration between the academic and clinical staffs. The informal social support initiative program started at the time of child diagnosis before the patient and patient families requested or even the physician ordered.Surveys results, along with discussion of the potential implications for reducing stress and anticipatory stress among mothers of cancer children by informal social support are presented.

IntimaSea: Exploring Shared Stress Display in Close Relationships

“…When I checked the display and found something unusual, I would send the screenshot of "sea world" to our group chat 4…”

“…After all, stress management is not merely a personal issue but also is deeply intertwined with social factors. Previous research has sought to provide informal social support to relieve the stress experienced by the patient's family [4], and use online support groups as stress management tools for teachers [79] and family caregivers [20,27]. Although they focus on self-expressions, not digital inferences, of stress, it was found that, compared with the self-management of stress, this kind of more social and collaborative approach can mitigate psychological stress in a more effective and low-cost manner, as it can provide a sense of support, empathy, and encouragement [79].…”

Quality of Life of Caregiver for Children with Blood Cancer

“…This is in line with the theory that informal social support can help mothers as caregiver children with cancer reduce their stress. Informal support itself in the form of suggestions, instructions, and direction that can help caregivers face personal and situational demands [28]. Social support is very important, even research shows that social support in the form of information and emotional support can improve the quality of life of a cancer patient [29].…”

Religiosity, Social Support and Anxiety in Mothers of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

“…The results of the study showed that helping mothers of children with cancer is essential in order to develop strategies to address the experiences of complex maternal stress experienced by their children at the time of ALL diagnosis such as anxiety and depression [28,21,48]. Therefore, This important action when a mother cares for her child's is the application of multidisciplinary supportive care.…”

“…One strategy is the importance of collaboration between academic institution and clinical staff to provide social support, especially in the form of information support to mothers. This has potential implications for reducing anticipatory stress and stress including anxiety experienced by mothers who have children with cancer through providing information support provided by them [48]. Parents choose the most important form of emotional support given by couples and other family members of both sick children and healthy children.…”