Parenting Changes of Mothers of a Child with Cancer

Abstract

Having a child with cancer affects the dyadic relationship between caregivers and the child. This study focused on changes in parenting and discipline among mothers after their child was diagnosed with cancer. We used semistructured interviews to explore 20 mothers’ experiences of parenting a child who had been diagnosed with cancer during the prior 5 years and before the age of 19 years in South Korea. Thematic analysis yielded five themes related to parenting changes: parental overprotection, increased parental permissiveness, use of threats to ensure compliance, concern for the child’s stress levels, and mothers’ confusion about optimal parenting. All mothers reported uncertainty and concern regarding how best to parent their sick child to ensure optimal health outcomes. The findings inform best practices for integrating medical and mental health care to support optimal maternal parenting and encourage optimal health outcomes for children with cancer.

Cancer diagnosis and treatment of children and dogs: coping strategies used by parents and owners in teaching hospitals

“…Not backing off made the fathers understand the need for their active participation in the care of their child, since the mother is overloaded in this process. These findings are consistent with a study that shows the mother as the main caregiver (Kim et al, 2019).…”

“…Both parents and owners were shocked by the situation they faced, which included changes in the family routine (Slater et al, 2018). Most parents of pediatric cancer patients admitted that their priorities had changed and that the health of their child had become the most important thing (Kim et al, 2019).…”

“…The emotional pain of the parents affected their quality of life. They admitted having focused more on the sick child to the detriment of other family members, which brought more guilt and emotional strain (Kim et al, 2019).…”

Uncertainty and Nursing Needs of Parents with Pediatric Cancer Patients in Different Treatment Phases: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Care during each disease stage is necessary for those affected by pediatric cancer because patients are repeatedly hospitalized and discharged during their treatment period, and care at home is critical even after discharge from the hospital [ 15 ]. A qualitative study exploring the parenting experiences of parents whose child had cancer in South Korea reported that parents experienced confusion as their child adapted to school [ 16 ].…”

Waves of family hope: narratives of families in the context of pediatric chronic illness

“…Usually, there is no cure and children and adolescents need continuous health monitoring and support ( 1 ) . Due to this, the diagnosis of a pediatric chronic illness impacts all family members, which alters family relationships and dynamics ( 2 - 3 ) . The diagnosis affects children and adolescents on physical, emotional, and psychosocial levels ( 4 - 5 ) .…”