The Experiences of Chinese Children 5- to 7-year-old during Cancer Treatment Reflected Through Interviews and Drawings

Abstract

Background: For children with cancer, the experience during treatment can be challenging. There is a limited number of studies on self-reported treatment experiences of younger Chinese children with cancer using qualitative methods. Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the experience of Chinese children aged 5 to 7 years during cancer treatment reflected through interviews and drawings. Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative design with the technique of “draw-and-tell.” Participants were enrolled from the pediatric oncology inpatient department of one national children's medical center in China. They were asked to draw a picture of “your feelings in the hospital.” An inductive content analysis approach was used. Results: Twelve participants were enrolled (8 male, mean age 5.7 years). Four themes were established: (1) suffering from adverse treatment effects; (2) perceiving changed relationships; (3) being thankful for others; and (4) trying out coping strategies. Conclusion: Chinese children aged 5 to 7 years expressed multiple cancer treatment impacts. They appreciated others’ support and had their own way to cope with treatment demands. The authors also extended the dynamic nature of using the “draw-and-tell” methodology. Study findings highlight the importance of inviting and hearing the voice of young children during their cancer treatment, with particular consideration of the influence of disease, treatment, child development, family dynamics, and culture.

Lived experiences with unmet supportive care needs in pediatric cancer: Perspective of Chinese children and their parents

“…There are validated developmentally sensitive child-reported outcome measurements that can help elicit the child’s voice. Meanwhile, art-related technologies like ‘draw and tell’ can be used to assist the child in effectively describing their needs comfortably [ 28 ].…”

Etki̇leşi̇mli̇ Ki̇tap Okuma Temelli̇ Kiskançlik Eği̇ti̇m Programinin 5 Yaş Çocuklarin Resi̇mleri̇ne Yansimasi

“…2009;Hargrave ve Sènèchal 2000) üzerine çalışmalar mevcutken kardeş kıskançlığı konulu bir konuya rastlanılmamıştır. Benzer şekilde çocukların resim çizimlerinde; hastane konulu (Cheng, Zhao, Ge, Wang, & Kang, 2021;Uysal, Sönmez Düzkaya, Bozkurt, & Çöplü, 2018), mülteci çocuklarla (Karabulut, Kasapoğlu, Türksoy, & Kırat, 2020;Avara, 2019), özel gereksinimli çocuklarla (Çetin, 2018; Çetinkaya, 2008), şiddet algı düzeyleri temalı (Hiçyılmaz, İnci & Seven, 2015), okula ilişkin algı temalı (Baran & Aksoy, 2010), aile algısı temalı (Akgün & Ergün, 2015;Kaynak & Temel, 2015), okul temalı (Benliay, Cüce & Soydan, 2014) gibi çeşitli çalışmalara yer verilmiş olup kardeş kıskançlığı kapsamında alan yazında yalnızca bir tane çalışmaya rastlanılmıştır.…”