Evaluating the experiences of parents of children with cancer engaging in a mobile device-based resilience training programme: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose A mobile device-based resilience training programme has been found to improve psychological well-being in parents of children with cancer. However, the essential elements underlying the programme’s efficacy and the factors that affect parents’ advocacy of the online resilience training remain unknown. This study explored the lived experience of engaging in a mobile device-based resilience training programme in parents of children with cancer. Methods A descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Parents of children with cancer who had received the mobile device-based resilience training in a previous randomised controlled trial were selected to attend one-to-one semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method. Results Twenty-one parents, comprising 15 mothers and 6 fathers, of children with cancer participated in the interview. The two following themes were identified: perceptions about the training (be beneficial for psychological well-being, be beneficial for parent–child communication and be beneficial for coping) and evaluation of the training (increased knowledge and skills, be satisfied with the intervention form and content, challenges to adhere to the programme and recommendations for future interventions). Conclusion This study explored which features of a mobile device-based resilience training programme improved the psychological well-being of parents of children with cancer. Its findings highlight the importance of providing a resilience training programme that is based on the parents’ intervention form preferences and their mental health needs. Trial registration NCT04038242, registered 17 July 2019.

Unpacking the Experiences of Health Care Professionals About the Web-Based Building Resilience At Work Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Framework Analysis

“…With regard to the web-based elements, the availability of different web-based learning tools has supported participants’ learning. This finding was consistent with prior research that evaluated web-based resilience programs [ 22 , 40 ]. Several key characteristics of web-based learning stood out.…”

“…Several key characteristics of web-based learning stood out. First, participants alluded to the importance of short attention-requiring materials such as videos, which was similarly reported in other studies [40,41]. Second, participants credited the availability of quizzes and homework that supplemented their learning.…”

Caring for a child with retinoblastoma: Experience of Ethiopian parents

“…Resilience training is one intervention that has been used to help individuals cultivate the skills necessary to navigate the stress and overcome challenging situations 27 . Early research indicates that cultivating skills in resilience may help parents of childhood cancer patients better cope with the burden of disease 28 . Still, other studies showed that parents of children with cancer naturally demonstrate exceptional strength and resilience to the stressors of cancer, 29 suggesting that further research is needed to understand the determinants of the coping response in caregivers.…”