Children With Cancer and Their Parents: Self-Care and Dependent-Care Practices

Abstract

In this qualitative study the self-care practices of children with cancer and the dependent-care practices of their parents were examined. These practices were organized according to self-care requisites presented in Orem's theory of self-care. The intent of this examination was to determine the competency of participants, identify where self-care deficits occurred, and decide what nursing interventions were needed. A purposive sample of 9 children and 18 parents were interviewed to determine their experiences with cancer. Content analysis was conducted using a deductive approach to code and analyze the data according to Orem's universal, developmental, and health-deviation self-care requisites. NVivo qualitative analysis software was employed for data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that participants were competent agents, performing many practices in the areas of universal and developmental self-care requisites. Participants performed far fewer practices regarding health-deviation self-care requisites and interferences with development, however, indicating a need for supportive-educative nursing interventions in these areas. Future research should examine participants' operations and specific nursing interventions to support those operations.

Facilitators and Barriers to Self-Management for Adolescents and Young Adults Following a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

“…Self-management and adherence literature in AYA with cancer has also identified several risk factors for nonadherence, including depression (Kennard et al, 2004; Zebrack et al, 2014), unclear delineation of responsibility, and single-parent households (Malbasa, Kodish, & Santacroce, 2007). The larger self-management literature also shows that AYA developmental needs and parental support are important determinants of self-management and adherence behaviors (Karlsson, Arman, & Wikblad, 2008; Moore & Beckwitt, 2004; Stinson et al, 2012).…”

“…Although difficulties with adherence and self-management are better documented in AYA cancer patients (Bhatia et al, 2012; Butow et al, 2010; Moore & Beckwitt, 2004; Mosher & Moore, 1998; Stinson et al, 2012), there is only emerging evidence on how AYA receiving an HSCT self-manage and adhere to prescribed medication and self-care regimens (McGrady et al, 2014). This article addresses the knowledge gap by presenting facilitators of and barriers to AYA self-management following an HSCT, based on evidence from a grounded theory research study.…”

Pragmatics and Parenting

“…However, what I have not explored in any detail is the sense in which these children living with illness experience that childhood through their carers' reaction to the illness and their understanding about children and childhoods. We know that adults have a variety of attitudes to children, childhoods as well as to illness both in general and in childhood (James et al 1998, Burley Moore and Beckwitt 2004, Azar et al 2008, Corsaro 2012. What is perhaps less clear from the literature is how these various attitudes and conceptions of illness in childhood and the parenting role are conceived of together and enacted.…”

Promoting infection prevention behaviors in family caregivers of Preschoolers with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The application of Self-care deficit Theory

“…Theory-based nursing intervention attributes are purposefully and systematically used in nursing practice. 2,15,[20][21][22][23][24] One of the conceptual models proposed to guide nursing practice is the Self Care Deficit Theory (SCDT). The SCDT provides a strong basis for nursing practice.…”