Family resilience factors affecting family adaptation of children with cancer: A cross-sectional study. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Mina; Choi, Eun Kyoung; Lyu, Chuhl Joo; Han, Jung Woo; Hahn, Seung Min
• Is Part Of: European journal of oncology nursing. Volume 56(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Childhood cancer -- Family adaptation -- Family resilience -- Protective factors -- Risk factors; Cancer -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Research -- Periodicals; Oncology -- Periodicals; Oncology Nursing -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- nursing -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Cancer -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Cancérologie -- Périodiques; Verpleegkunde; Kanker; Cancer -- Nursing; Cancer -- Research; Oncology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9940231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2021.102078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-3889

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Pediatric cancer impacts all family members, including parents and siblings, who strive to adjust to a multitude of changes brought about by the illness. Family resilience is an important factor in the successful adaptation of families of children with cancer. Therefore, we aimed to identify risk and protective factors for family resilience at the child, family, and community levels that affect the adaptation of families of children with cancer. Method: This study employed a descriptive survey design, and data were collected from 111 parents of children undergoing treatment for cancer between April and May 2020 at a university hospital in South Korea. Based on Patterson's family resilience model, risk factors—severity of child's condition, parental depression, and stigma and discrimination—and protective factors—the child's temperament, family communication skills, and supportive health services—for family adaptation were analyzed using multiple regression analyses. Results: Among family resilience factors affecting the adaptation of families of children with cancer, parental depression (ß = -0.290, p = 0.004) and family communication skills (ß = 0.403, p < 0.001) were identified as risk and protective factors, respectively. These variables accounted for 29.3% of the variance in family adaptation (F = 7.503, p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a need to develop strategies such as intervention programs that focus on reducing parental depression and strengthening family communication skills to promote the adaptation of families to pediatric cancer. Highlights: Family resilience is important in familial adaptation of children with cancer. Based on Patterson's family resilience model, it was divided into child, family, and community risk and protective factors. Parental depression was a risk factor. Family communication skills were a protective factor. Family-centered intervention must cover strategies to alleviate parental depression and promote family communication skills.