Understanding hope at diagnosis: A study among Guatemalan parents of children with cancer

Abstract

Background In high‐income countries, hope facilitates parental coping and builds the clinical relationship between families of children with cancer and their clinicians. However, the manifestation of hope in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) remains poorly understood. Our study explores Guatemalan parents' experiences with hope during the pediatric oncology diagnostic process and aims to identify discrete actions clinicians take to support hope. Methods This qualitative study utilized audio‐recordings of the diagnostic process and an additional semi‐structured interview for 20 families of children with cancer at Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica in Guatemala. Spanish audio‐recordings were translated into English, transcribed, and coded using a priori and novel codes. Thematic content analysis using constant comparative methods explored parents' hopes and concerns. Results At diagnosis, Guatemalan parents expressed both hopes and concerns related to the entire cancer continuum. Throughout the diagnostic process, hope grew as concerns were alleviated. Clinicians supported hope by creating a supportive environment, providing information, affirming religious beliefs, and empowering parents. These strategies helped parents shift their focus from fear and uncertainty toward hope for their child's future. Parents expressed that establishing hope improved mood, promoted acceptance, and enabled them to care for themselves and their children. Conclusion These results confirm the relevance of supporting hope in pediatric oncology settings in LMICs and suggest that culture informs hope‐related needs. Supporting hope is critical across cultures and can be integrated into clinical conversation using the four processes identified by our results.

Well-being in parents of children with cancer: illness perceptions’ mediating role for hope and social support

“…A qualitative study conducted among 20 parents of children with cancer revealed that the establishment of hope had a profound impact on parents at both the emotional and cognitive levels. This hope was found to improve the parents’ overall mood, foster greater acceptance of the reality they were facing, and empower them to effectively care for themselves and their children ( Williams et al, 2023 ). However, the possible links between hope and positive emotions have not yet been sufficiently investigated.…”