The Complexity of Being a Parent in the Hospital and a Patient at Home: A Qualitative Study on Parenting Concerns and Challenges Among Parents With Cancer.
Journal
Cancer nursing
ISSN: 1538-9804
Titre abrégé: Cancer Nurs
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 7805358
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
21 Sep 2023
21 Sep 2023
Historique:
medline:
21
9
2023
pubmed:
21
9
2023
entrez:
21
9
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Parents given a diagnosis of cancer must balance the demands of their illness and caregiving responsibilities. This can result in parental stress and have a negative impact on the well-being of the whole family. A greater understanding of the experiences of parents with cancer is necessary to provide adequate support. The aim of this study was to explore parenting concerns and challenges among parents with cancer who were caring for dependent children younger than 18 years. Semistructured interviews were carried out with 22 parents with cancer. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Parental concerns and challenges affected parents in their parental role and their everyday family life. Three overarching themes described the struggles in balancing life as a parent and as a patient: navigating dual roles as a parent with cancer, impact of cancer on parenting, and impact on family life. Parents' primary focus was on their children's well-being, and they struggled to manage their own expectations of parenting and the demands on their role in the family. The results highlight the complexity of being a parent with cancer while caring for dependent children. To support parents during the cancer journey, it is important to understand the consequences of their illness on their parental role and the family. Supporting parents to feel secure in their parental role and providing support to them during their cancer journey should be integrated into routine cancer care, where parenting concerns and challenges are addressed.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Parents given a diagnosis of cancer must balance the demands of their illness and caregiving responsibilities. This can result in parental stress and have a negative impact on the well-being of the whole family. A greater understanding of the experiences of parents with cancer is necessary to provide adequate support.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore parenting concerns and challenges among parents with cancer who were caring for dependent children younger than 18 years.
METHODS
METHODS
Semistructured interviews were carried out with 22 parents with cancer. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Parental concerns and challenges affected parents in their parental role and their everyday family life. Three overarching themes described the struggles in balancing life as a parent and as a patient: navigating dual roles as a parent with cancer, impact of cancer on parenting, and impact on family life. Parents' primary focus was on their children's well-being, and they struggled to manage their own expectations of parenting and the demands on their role in the family.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight the complexity of being a parent with cancer while caring for dependent children. To support parents during the cancer journey, it is important to understand the consequences of their illness on their parental role and the family.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
CONCLUSIONS
Supporting parents to feel secure in their parental role and providing support to them during their cancer journey should be integrated into routine cancer care, where parenting concerns and challenges are addressed.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37731179
doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001276
pii: 00002820-990000000-00168
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
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