Understanding the health impact of caregiving: a qualitative study of immigrant parents and single parents of children with cancer

Abstract

Parents of children with cancer can experience a range of health problems due to the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and the intensive and often prolonged nature of treatment and aftercare. Given the central role parents play as caregivers, it is crucial to understand the health impact of caregiving so that supportive interventions can be implemented as necessary.

Hopelessness and Depression Levels of Parents of Children with Cancer

“…Melahat Akgun Kostak*, Gulcan Avci Elcigil and Conk, 2010;Ozono et al, 2010;Klassen et al, 2011). A diagnosis of cancer results in feelings of intense fear and despair, both by the child and their family (Cernvall et al, 2013).…”

Experiences of Nursing Students in Caring for Pediatric Cancer Patients

“…Cancer is associated with helplessness, unbearable pain, fear, uncertainty and death (Chen, 2010;Klassen et al, 2011). Chen (2010 reported that nursing students had experienced anger, fear, depression, stress, helplessness and guilt in the paediatric clinic.…”

“…A qualitative study has determined that families with children with cancer experience anxiety, sadness, depression, exhaustion, guilt, anger, frustration and social isolation . Anxiety and sadness are the feelings most experienced by children with cancer and their families (Wijnberg-Williams et al, 2006;Liang et al, 2007;Klassen et al, 2011). Parallel to the sadness that cancer patients experience, students experience the same feeling with a strong sense of empathy (Gorostidi et al, 2007).…”

“…Melahat Akgun Kostak 1 *, Aysel Mutlu 2 , Aysegul Bilsel 3 Klassen et al, 2011;Selwood, 2013). However, despite its present status as a chronic disease, cancer is perceived as a serious disease that causes uncertainty, sadness and guilt, and which evokes suffering and death (Fotiadou et al, 2008;Klassen et al, 2011).…”

“…However, despite its present status as a chronic disease, cancer is perceived as a serious disease that causes uncertainty, sadness and guilt, and which evokes suffering and death (Fotiadou et al, 2008;Klassen et al, 2011). The literature suggests that the diagnosis of cancer leads to severe psychological trauma in the child and in the child's family, causing them to experience emotional, behavioural and social problems and to exhibit more aggressive behaviours and serious adjustment problems (Wijnberg-Williams et al, 2006;Liang et al, 2007;Fayed et al, 2011;Klassen et al, 2011).…”