Abstract
Parents who have cancer face particular problems in their relationships with children. This study aims to clarify 1) the current status of challenge/hope in parental cancer, 2) the factors related to challenge/hope, and 3) the relationship between challenge/hope and QOL/stress-coping ability. Cross-sectional national survey was conducted at designated cancer hospitals in Japan. Participants were undergoing cancer treatment and have children under 18 years old. The questionnaire included demographic data, QOL, ability to cope with stress, and challenge/hope. From 11 hospitals, 54 patients (response rate: 79.4%) participated. Majority of participants were female (72.2%) with the mean age of 39.3 ± 5.3 (SD). The total score was QOL (FACT-G: 50.4 ± 16.2), stress-coping ability (SOC: 46.7 ± 10.4). The main challenges were an inability to fulfill the parental role and children’s mental suffering due to loneliness. The main aspects of hope were the value of the children’s present self, being a parent, and strengthening family bonds. Gender and disease duration were significantly related with challenge/hope. Challenge was significantly related with QOL/stress-coping ability. Parents who have cancer derive hope from their relationship with their children, although they feel a gap between their ideal role/value as a parent and their current status.
Highlights
Parents who have cancer face particular problems in their relationships with their children [1]
This study aims to clarify 1) the current status of challenge/hope in parental cancer, 2) the factors related to challenge/hope, and 3) the relationship between challenge/hope and quality of life (QOL)/stress-coping ability
Challenge was significantly related with QOL/stress-coping ability
Summary
Parents who have cancer face particular problems in their relationships with their children [1]. The cancer treatment tends to be aggressive, and has an effect on the spirit, mind and body of the patient. These circumstances largely impact diagnosed parents’ children and may cause psychological and social problems. The challenge contents of parents who suffer from cancer include “role restriction due to physical problems,” “psychological strain,” “social effort,” and “concern about the future of their children.”. Challenge and hope in parents vary according to individual backgrounds, types of treatment, quality of life (QOL), and the ability to cope with stress etc. This study aims to clarify 1) the current status of challenge/hope in parental cancer, 2) the factors related to challenge/hope, and 3) the relationship between challenge/hope and QOL/stress-coping ability
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