Parents adjustment of children with cancer: A qualitative study

• Main Authors: Chen, Chiu-I, 陳萩憶
• Other Authors: Yeh, Chao-Hsing: PHD, RN
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/61885771860050022838

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 護理學研究所 === 90 === The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore parental adjustment when their children had cancer. Data collections included semi-structure interviews and were tape recorded from October 2001 to February 2002. Qualitative data analysis method proposed by Miles & Huberman(1994) was used. Participants 10 couples of parents. The findings shown seven different aspects of parental adjustments (1) awareness of changes of physical conditions;(2) psychological experiences, including emotional disturbance, sympathy, and final acceptance; (3) learning how to take care of health, including ability of learning in the care of sick children, acquisition of disease information and disease care concept; (4) Impacts on the family, including changes of cohesion of family life, conflicts between sick children and other family members, and changes of children-rearing; (5) changes in personal relationship, including other parents of sick children, health care personnel staff, and colleagues; (6) changes in life style, including working hours, economic, environments, and recreation activities; and (7) satisfying spiritual needs, including religious power, personal belief, and future perspectives. In this study, mothers were usually the primary care giver for parents, and consequently had more physical and psychological disturbance. During the treatments, parents can get supports from the family and colleagues of the parents. In addition to connectional treatments, parents also seek alternative treatments for their children to cure their child’s illness. The results of this study provide more in-depth understanding of parental adjustment in the care of children with cancer.