Aim and objectiveThis study aimed to build an indepth and comprehensive understanding of the social maladaptation experience of Chinese children with leukaemia of different ages.MethodsThe purposive sampling method was adopted to conduct semistructured interviews with 20 Chinese children with leukaemia or their main caregivers and Colaizzi’s method for qualitative research was used to organise and analyse the data. The study followed the guiding principles of the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.ResultsThe existing social adaptation problems of children with leukaemia of different ages were assessed. In terms of psychological maladjustment, children with leukaemia aged 2–7 years showed fear and excessive attachment, while children aged 8–18 years were characterised by impatience, irritability and anxiety. In terms of behavioural maladjustment, children aged 2–7 years presented less independent behaviour and dependence on electronics, while children aged 8–18 years showed learning obstruction and indulgence in mobile games.ConclusionsTargeted intervention strategies should be developed based on the physical and mental characteristics of children with leukaemia of different ages to improve existing social adaptation problems.Relevance to clinical practiceEarly intervention for social adaptation of children with leukaemia should be considered. Children’s social adaptation should be improved to prevent more adaptation problems so that they can return to their families and to the society without difficulty and improve their quality of life in the long term.

Background Leukemia is a pediatric malignancy with the highest incidence rate and large onset age span. Children with leukemia at different ages show various social maladjustments after illness, which are mainly reflected in psychological and behavioral changes. It is of great significance to improve children's social adaptation level and purposefully prevent children from having social adaptation problems. Objective To describe the social adaptation problems faced by Chinese children with leukemia at different ages, and to provide the basis for formulating targeted preventive intervention strategies. Method The purpose sampling method was adopted to conduct semi-structured interviews on 20 Chinese children with leukemia and their main caregivers, and the Colaizzi phenomenological research method in the qualitative research was used to organize and analyze the data. Results The existing social adaptation problems of children with leukemia at different ages were summarized. In terms of psychological maladjustment, children with leukemia aged 2~7 years showed "fear and excessive attachment"; Children with leukemia aged 8-18 years are characterized by "Impatience, irritability and anxiety". In terms of behavioral maladjustment, children with leukemia aged 2~7 years have the problem of "less independent behavior" and "dependence on electronic products"; Children with leukemia aged 8-18 years showed "learning obstruction" and "indulging in mobile games". Conclusions Develop targeted intervention strategies based on the physical and mental characteristics of children with leukemia at different ages to improve their existing social adaptation problems. Pay attention to early intervention in the social adaptation of children with leukemia. Predictably improve the social adaptation level of children to prevent more adaptation problems, so that children can smoothly return to their families and society and improve their quality of life in the long term.