Maternal Experiences of Parenting Young Children While Battling Breast Cancer in Taiwan

Abstract

Background Western mothers with breast cancer find themselves struggling with parenting responsibilities. Because parenting is culturally shaped, literature on ill mothers' experiences of parenting young children from a collectivist culture is limited. Objective The aim of this study was to examine Taiwanese mothers' experiences of and cultural practices embedded in parenting young children while in treatment for breast cancer. Methods Sixteen mothers with at least 1 child younger than 12 years were recruited from a breast cancer organization in Taiwan. Data were collected from November 2016 to June 2017 via a semistructured individual interview and analyzed using a content analysis technique. Results Five themes, namely, “maternal limited disclosure, complementary with children's tacit knowledge,” “the scar is no longer a scar but a symbol for intimate bonding,” “issues of maternal absence for young children and school-aged children,” “the power of ‘We are a family’,” and “to live a simple life and to live for one's self,” elucidate how cultural beliefs and practices shape maternal parenting experiences during treatment of breast cancer. Conclusions The findings illustrate how Taiwanese mothers interpret their illness, contextualize illness-related messages in daily life, and maintain family ties while coping with breast cancer. The will to maintain the family's integrity, including the extended family, can empower mothers throughout the trajectory. Implications for Practice Ill mothers may benefit from nurses' guidance on daily routines and cultural practices that they can exploit to frame illness messages for their children. Maternal efforts to change their outlook on life, vocalize their needs, and become more assertive should be acknowledged and supported.

Children’s experiences of living with maternal breast cancer: A qualitative study

“…Some preadolescent children were conscious of changes in maternal discipline and felt obligated to live up to their ill mothers' expectations, including high self-reliance, well-mannered behaviour, and good school performance. This loosening of disciplinary practices fits with Asian mothers' self-reporting of a letting-go mindset after a breast cancer diagnosis (Chin et al, 2020;Kim et al, 2012). Interestingly, Taiwanese children view studying hard as their major duty and the best they can do during their mothers' illness, reflecting the emphasis of academic success in Asian cultures (Shek, 2007;Xia et al, 2015).…”

Parents living with and beyond cancer: A scoping review of unmet supportive care needs and impact on daily life

“…Spiritual support care needs were reported in 6 (13%) articles and included needs surrounding search for meaning and existential needs and struggles. Chin et al (2021) found that there is a need in Chinese parent’s to maintain one’s health and strong will for survival which is fundamental in maintaining “familial piety” (p. E198).…”

“…care needs were reported in 6 (13%) articles and included needs surrounding search for meaning and existential needs and struggles. Chin et al (2021) found that there is a need in Chinese parent's to maintain one's health and strong will for survival which is fundamental in maintaining "familial piety" (p. E198). Practical: Practical supportive care needs are defined as "needs for direct assistance in order to accomplish a task or activity and thereby reduce the demands on the person" (Fitch, 2008: 9).…”

Mother–child dyad support needs to be expressed by mothers diagnosed with breast cancer

“…Taiwanese BCD mothers described suffering from a newly distant relationship with their children, including loss of physical contact and intimate interactions. The attachment has been described as a major issue in young children with ill mothers in that they have difficulty separating from their mothers (Hauken et al, 2018); in response to maternal separation, they tend to transfer their proximity‐seeking behaviours to other family members (Chin et al, 2021). Our finding showed that, while children endure stressful separations, mothers also suffered from a feeling of loss from their children not being as attached to them.…”