This article discusses a two-phase qualitative study on parents' experiences of psychosocial needs arising from having a child with cancer over four to eight months in multicultural Singapore. Given the value of children to Asian families and the practical support available in a collectivist context, the author expected the subjective burden of care to be more pronounced than the objective burden at the initial stage of treatment and the objective burden to be greater after discharge from the hospital. Findings showed subjective burden consistently higher at both phases. Implications for psychosocial support for parents are discussed.

Multiple in-depth interviews with fifteen Chinese families in Singapore were conducted to study family adaptation arising from the diagnosis of chronic childhood illnesses. Disclosure of distressful information was found to be selective. Keeping secrets within the immediate family (i.e., between parents and children, between husband and wife, and between the family and the wider community) were governed by factors related to the support and protection of the family unit. Motivations for keeping family secrets appeared to be in keeping with the behavioral rules of a collectivist culture, emphasizing saving "face," maintaining group harmony and hierarchical roles, and taking responsibility for mutual protection. Implications for practice in the health settings, policy issues (e.g., the right of the patient to knowledge about the illness), and intervention (e.g., the role of the social worker in facilitating open disclosure among family members to enhance family adjustments) are discussed.

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Significant advancements in treatment modalities over the past few decades have significantly improved the survival rates of many types of childhood cancer, directing attention to the psychosocial consequences of successful treatment and subsequent survival. This study assesses quality of life (QoL) among survivors of childhood cancer. Data were collected by means of a survey questionnaire. Participants were assured of confidentiality and of the voluntary nature of participation. Participants ranged in age from 12 to 24 years (mean age = 17.2); 62 percent were male; 45.6 percent were in secondary grades (middle school or high school). Results showed that among the QoL domains, spiritual subscale ranked highest, and physical domain showed the lowest mean score. Self-esteem emerged as an important predictor for social domain of QoL. Cancer-specific worry emerged as a significant predictor for overall QoL. The findings suggest that survivors rated high on positive life changes and sense of purpose, which are associated with positive QoL. However, this was tempered by worries and uncertainty. This study provides seminal information on the psychosocial needs of childhood cancer survivors in an Asian context that can be used by health care professionals and providers to further promote support and health care following treatment.

This study examined the extent and sources of social support of Chinese and Malay Muslim mothers of children with intellectual disability in Singapore and attempted to expand the understanding of relationship-based perceptions of social support in these 2 population groups. Analysis of 6 areas, namely, informational, emotional, social, financial, childcare, and practical needs showed that Chinese mothers have a larger and more diversified network of perceived social support than their Malay Muslim counterparts. Discussion includes the role of cultural variables in the perception of social support network, the role of relationship strength in perceived social support, and strategies for enhancing the mental well-being and coping of Asian mothers of children with intellectual disability.