Family Beliefs Research Articles

Athletes for life: Rationale and methodology of a community- and family-based randomized controlled trial to promote cardiovascular fitness among primarily Latino families

BackgroundCommunity-based programs have had modest success in combating obesity in Latino populations. Latino families' norms and beliefs about weight often hold larger body sizes to be normal, leading to lower engagement in weight-focused programs. Because improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness confer health benefits, regardless of weight, they offer an alternative to obesity-focused approaches. We describe the rationale and design of Athletes for Life (AFL), a community- and family-based intervention for Latino families. Methods/DesignThis two-group randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy of AFL for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and diet in 6- to 11-year-old children (N = 160) and their parents, relative to a wait-list control group. Children will participate in 12 weeks of semiweekly sports skill programing and nutrition sessions. Concurrently, parents will participate in sports-focused activity and behavior change sessions that focus on nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and healthy eating. Cardiovascular fitness will be measured by the 1-mile run and 3-min step-test for both parents and children. Secondary outcomes include changes in objectively measured physical activity, dietary measures, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk (waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein). DiscussionAFL, implemented with a strong community partnership, will provide a test of the efficacy of culturally tailored intervention programming to promote positive health behaviors and improve health outcomes in Latino families. Intervention content, structure, and messaging will provide guidance for future methods to engage Latino families in health promotion programs that highlight their cultural norms, and beliefs. Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT03761589 (12/3/2018).

Beliefs About Children's Emotions in Chile.

To learn more about Chilean emotional beliefs related to emotion development, 271 Mapuche and non-Mapuche parents and teachers in urban and rural settings reported their emotion beliefs using a questionnaire invariant in the Chilean context (Riquelme et al., in press). Included are six beliefs previously found to resonate across three United States cultures (i.e., beliefs about the value and cost of certain emotions; control of emotion; knowledge of children’s emotion; manipulation of emotion; and emotional autonomy), and five others distinctive to the indigenous people of this region (i.e., value of being calm; controlling fear specifically; interpersonality of emotion; learning about emotion from adults; and regulation through nature). MANOVAs were conducted to examine these beliefs across culture (Mapuche, non-Mapuche), role (parent, teacher), and geographical location (rural, urban). For United States-derived beliefs, there were no main effects, although two interactions with culture by role and location were significant. For all five Mapuche-generated beliefs, there were significant main effects for culture, role, and location. Results highlight both similarities and differences in beliefs across cultures, roles, and geographical location. Implications for the Chilean context include the importance of non-Mapuche teachers’ sensitivity to the values and emotion-related beliefs of Mapuche families. Implications for the global context include an expanded view of emotion-related beliefs, including beliefs that children can control fear and be calm, that emotion-related values include attending to the needs of others, and that two ways of controlling emotion are through learning by listening to/watching elders, and by being in nature.

Zika Vírus: conhecimentos, sentimentos e rede de apoio social de gestantes

Objetivo: compreender os conhecimentos, os sentimentos e a rede de apoio social de gestantes sob suspeita e diagnóstico positivo de Zika vírus. Método: estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 10 gestantes. Os dados foram coletados no segundo semestre de 2017, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e analisados pela técnica de análise temática. Resultados: evidenciou-se o déficit de conhecimento sobre a patologia na gestação e os sinais e sintomas apresentados. Sentimentos negativos como medo, desespero e choro estão associados as possibilidades de repercussão fetal frente à suspeita e diagnóstico de microcefalia do bebê. O cuidado multiprofissional, juntamente com a família e as crenças religiosas foram vistos como rede de apoio para o enfrentamento da doença. Considerações finais: o conhecimento, os sentimentos e a rede de apoio são essenciais para se pensar políticas e a própria organização dos serviços de saúde, na perspectiva do enfretamento e do cuidado em saúde.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY BELIEFS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH WITH FIRST ACTION FOR SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT

The lack of seeking treatment for mental disorder was related to the community beliefs about mental disorder. People believe that mental disorders are caused as the victims are possessed and perform witchcraft. So, people seek for help from person with supernatural ability. This study aimed to determine the relationship between family beliefs about mental health and the first step in seeking treatment for mental disorders. The design of this study is quantitative research with cross sectional approach. The sample of this study consisted of 47 family with mental health patients in ​​Kampar Kiri Public Health Center which was selected by using total sampling technique. The data were collected by using family health beliefs about mental health questionnaire and seeking formal treatment questionnaire that had tested its validity and reliability. The univariate analysis used to determine the frequency of distribution and bivariate analysis was done using chi-square test with Kolmogorov Smirnov as alternative test. Univariate result showed that majority of respondents believe that mental health is supernatural (61.7%) with the first action in seeking treatment for mental disorders is people with supernatural ability (53, 2%). The result of bivariate analysis showed p value (0.000) <α (0.05). So, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between patients' family beliefs about mental health towards the first action in seeking treatment for mental disorders in ​​Kampar Kiri Health Center.

A review of daily conversations and practices at home: Exploring practices that promote early literacy in Spanish-speaking homes and home-school interactions

Coming from a low-income heritage language family, like 17% of Latino families, entails important academic risk factors related to lower scores on reading tests. Considering that it is estimated that Latino students will represent 50% of the U.S. public schools’ population by 2050, their literacy learning must be supported adequately. The purpose of this literature review is to explore, from an ecocultural perspective, early literacy practices of low-income Spanish-speaking families and analyze the nature of literacy home-school interventions implemented for this group. The literature highlights non-traditional literacy practices that are strengths of the Latino families, such as a robust oral tradition focused on social cues, children’s engagement in written household chores, and the use of the Bible to pass values. Parents have mixed beliefs regarding literacy promotion: they do not feel prepared to support their children; thus, they support teachers as experts. Three types of home-school literacy interventions were found: printed material sharing; printed material exchange; family programs. As the literature posits, interventions should consider and be based on family beliefs, culture, and strengths; otherwise, effectivity and attrition are at risk. Moreover, new research should be conducted to bridge the gap regarding the role of family actors other than the mother, as well as the differences within the Latino community and immigrant generation.

Жизнеспособность семьи в стрессогенных ситуациях инвалидности в зарубежных исследованиях

A review of foreign studies reflecting the problems of family resilience in the modern world is presented. Special emphasis is placed on studies of family resilience in stressful situations of disability of family members. It is shown that resilience of families having stressful experience of disability includes: 1) a system of family beliefs based on a positive outlook that contribute both to self-recovery after a traumatic experience and acceptance of their vulnerability; 2) patterns of family reactions to diseases allowing them to find life meaning in caring, and respond effectively to challenges of diseases, use adaptive capabilities to counteract violations, and organize themselves; 3) family communication skills and activity in problem solving; 4) family connectedness and flexibility, effective use of external support from social and non-government organizations. The family resilience construct is considered through closely related concepts of individual, family, and social resilience.

Managing Children: An Insight into Malay Parents' Involvement in Their Children's Learning

Socio-economic status not only influences family beliefs about values of education, but may affect how academic expectations are communicated by parents and perceived by their children- This study examined (1) the level of parental involvement (achievement values, interest in homework, and discussion on school matters) among Malay parents, and (2) parental involvement and its relationship with academic achievement. Measures of parents ' involvement were obtained from Malay boys (12=146) and girls (n=284 ), aged seventeen, living with both biological parents. Adolescents 'perceptions of maternal and paternal involvement at home were measured using Paternal and Maternal Parental Involvement Seale (Paulson, 1994b). Results indicated that Malay parents tend to emphasize more on achievement values, less on interest in homework and discussion on school matters. In terms of gender differences, there were significant differences between mothers ' and fathers 'involvement and these differences were found to differ towards sons and daughters. Discussions and implications were outlined

Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study Report # 6. Opportunistic screening of vitamin A deficiency through School Sight Program in tribal Odisha (India).

Purpose:To explore the possibility of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) detection through School Sight Program (SSP) in a tribal district of Odisha, India.Methods:In a cross-sectional observational study, we tracked school children with ocular signs/symptoms of VAD to their villages. The ophthalmologist examined their under-5 siblings and other under-5 children in the village. Information pertaining to family belief and practices of food, water, sanitation, and the socioeconomic status of the family were collected.Results:The ocular features of VAD were detected in 207 of 4801 (4.3%) examined children. This included 70 children (mean age 11 ± 2.6 years) detected in the school, 22 siblings (mean age 3.2 ± 1.2 years) of these children detected at their home, and 115 children (mean age 3 ± 1.5 years) detected in their habitat. The average family size was 5.8 ± 2.02 and the birth order of the child with VAD was 2.3 ± 1.25. Most parents were farmer, living in asbestos-roofed house, depended on public underground water, and practiced open-air defecation. The distribution of VAD in 207 children was conjunctival xerosis (X1A = 207; 100% of VAD and 4.3% of all children), Bitot's spot (X1B = 169; 81.6% of VAD and 3.5% of all children), corneal scar (XS = 3; 1.4% of VAD and 0.06% of all children), and night blindness (XN = 35; 16.9% of VAD and 0.72% of all children).Conclusion:An opportunistic screening for detection of VAD through a SSP could be cost-effective and complement the existing strategy.

Narratives of older persons’ frailty and physical activity in relation to environmental landscapes and time

The objective of this study was to explore the influence of the environmental landscape on the physical activity of older persons experiencing frailty. This manuscript describes the second phase of an unpublished larger study in the northern province of Lampang, Thailand. Phase One revealed that 14% of 1,788 older persons surveyed were found to have experienced frailty according to Fried's frailty phenotypes, and low physical activity was associated with frailty. In the light of frailty, how older persons experience physical activity in their day-to-day living environments warrants in-depth exploration. This was a qualitative study guided by narrative inquiry. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted with 13 older persons living with frailty. The method of analysis was thematic and performance analysis. Two broad themes relating to the environmental landscapes were as follows: (a) limiting environmental landscapes and (b) engaging environmental landscapes. These landscapes, which change across time, refer to physical and social spaces, and beliefs of older persons and their family that have either positive or negative impacts on physical activity of frail older persons. Complex interactions between physical and social spaces and beliefs of older persons and family influence the physical activity behaviours of older persons living with frailty. This study warrants education and policy aiming at creating optimal environmental landscapes to promote physical activity in frail older persons.

Barriers to practicing patient advocacy in healthcare setting.

AimTo explore barriers to practicing patient advocacy in healthcare setting.DesignThis study used a qualitative research approach to arrive at the study result.MethodsTwenty‐five Registered Nurses were purposively selected. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect data and analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe main theme identified was lack of cooperation between healthcare team, care recipients and the health institution which included the health institution and work environment, ineffective communication and interpersonal relationship, patients' family, religious and cultural beliefs. Unsuccessful advocacy resulted in increased complications, death, negative consequence on the health institution and nursing as a profession. This study has significantly created awareness of the need for an improved patient advocacy to enhance the quality and safety in the care of patients.

Reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the psychosocial assessment tool for families of children with cancer.

Patients with childhood cancer and their families frequently experience psychosocial distress associated with cancer and its treatment. We thus examined the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool, which was designed to screen for psychosocial risk factors among families of children with cancer. Forward-backward translation was used to develop the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool. We conducted a cross-sectional study. Mothers (N=117), who were the primary caregivers of children with cancer, completed the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool and other measures to establish validity. The internal consistency and 2-week test-retest reliability of the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool were also examined. The internal consistency of the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool total score was sufficient (Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficient=0.84); however, the subscales 'structure and resources,' 'stress reactions' and 'family beliefs' were less than optimal (Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficients=0.03, 0.49 and 0.49, respectively). The test-retest reliability for the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool total score was sufficient (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.92). Significant correlations with the criteria measures indicated the validity of the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool total score. The optimal cut-off score for screening mothers with high psychosocial risk was 0.9/1.0, which was associated with 92% sensitivity and 63% specificity. This study indicated that the Japanese version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool is a valid and reliable tool to screen mothers for elevated distress.

Family Resilience From the Perspective of Caregivers of Youth With Sickle Cell Disease.

Families coping with sickle cell disease (SCD) often face heightened psychosocial risk factors, and research in pediatric SCD has often focused more on this area than resiliency factors. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of family resiliency in SCD based on caregiver perspectives. A secondary qualitative analysis was conducted with data from a mixed-methods study of caregivers of youth with SCD (n=22). Qualitative analyses involved coding based on 2 resiliency frameworks, organizing coding categories into themes, and systematically reintegrating these themes into a conceptualization that reflected family resiliency. Themes aligned well with the resiliency frameworks and related to family belief systems and meaning-making around SCD (acceptance of SCD, positive attitude, religious faith), family organization and adaptation (flexibility, stability, social supports), and the importance of communication and problem-solving. Study findings emphasize the importance of assessing resilience in families of youth with SCD and suggest the potential clinical benefits of developing psychosocial interventions based on family strengths.

Assessing Efficacy of Provider and Family Education, Electronic Health Record Documentation Tools, and Information Technology to Increase Use of Hydroxyurea in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) is an imperative disease-modifying agent in the treatment of sickle cell anemia (SCA). Over the past 30 years, numerous clinical trials have demonstrated both safety and efficacy of this medication in prevention of acute and long-term complications of SCA; however HU continues to be under-utilized in clinical practice. Possible reasons include a lack of provider and family education on the drug, a family's belief in the lack of severity of their child's disease, families not wanting to add additional medications to daily routine and fear of side effects. We sought to increase HU use by a multi-pronged approach of using provider and family education, information technology (IT) tools and weekly reinforcement at pre-visit planning (PVP) team meetings. Methods: We conducted provider education sessions to disseminate knowledge about HU. These included review of NHLBI guidelines, dosing guidelines and tips to optimize HU use and merits of escalating to maximum tolerated dose. The target audience was physicians, fellows, mid-level providers and nurses. ECHO sessions provided by a regional collaborative augmented this effort. A consensus HU guideline document was readily available electronically. The IT team in collaboration with the sickle cell team modified the clinic visit electronic note. The new note included check boxes to document eligibility for HU (based on sickle cell phenotype and severity of disease), and initial and ongoing HU counselling. A table in the clinic note tracked HU dose modifications. A practical algorithm regarding initiation, escalation and monitoring of HU was available as a pop-up in the note to assist providers. An electronic "Sickle Cell Dashboard" was created using real-time data. The dashboard flagged HU eligible patients not yet started on HU. Strategies to successfully initiate HU therapy for these patients were discussed at weekly PVP meetings. We provided HU counselling early and often during first months of life. Successful counselling strategies were shared among providers at PVP meetings. Ancillary staff was trained in utilization of dashboard. Percentage of HU eligible patients who were prescribed HU was measured for two periods: August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018 (pre-intervention) and August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019 (post-intervention). A two-sided Fisher's exact test measured statistical significance. Results: In the pre-intervention period 94 of 138 (68%) HU eligible patients were prescribed HU. In the post-intervention period 131 of 164 (80%) HU eligible patients received HU prescription. The 12% increase was statistically significant (p=0.021). Increased education and counselling fostered provider enthusiasm and confidence in prescribing HU. An early start of HU therapy resulted in better compliance with treatment. The collaboration with IT team and creation of electronic "Sickle Cell Dashboard" identified several areas of improvement and inspired additional quality improvement projects. Discussion: Aggressive provider and family education, enhanced electronic records, weekly PVP meetings, readily available HU dosing guidelines and an automated dashboard to flag eligible patients for targeted counselling improved the utilization of this important disease-modifying agent in a significant way. Further improvements can be made by monitoring pharmacy database for prescription fill rates, flagging patients who are overdue for follow-up visits and providing ongoing counselling. Infrastructure established for and lessons learned from this project can be applied to improve comprehensive care for SCA in a sustainable and cost-effective fashion. Figure Disclosures Gomez: Alnylam: Consultancy; Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda, UniQure: Research Funding.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CAREGIVERS WITH FAMILY CONFLICT

The family environment is often overlooked in caregiver research and assessment, despite having implications for caregiver health and well-being (Zarit et al., 2019). The purpose of the present study was to examine differences on two types of family conflict (beliefs and support) among a diverse sample of caregivers. The present sample consisted of help-seeking (n = 375) and non-help-seeking (n = 415) caregivers (total n = 790). Caregivers filled out the Caregiver Reaction Scale (O’Malley & Qualls, 2017), a multidimensional assessment of the caregiver experience. Results of a 2 (adult children, spouse) x 2 (help-seeking, non-help-seeking) ANOVA indicated that help-seeking caregivers reported significantly more conflict over family beliefs than did non-help-seeking caregivers (M = 1.93 and 1.58, respectively), F(3,606) = 21.10 p < .001. Adult children caregivers reported significantly greater conflict over family beliefs (M = 1.91) than did spouse caregivers (M = 1.60), F(3,606) = 10.66, p < .001. Adult children caregivers also reported significantly greater conflict over family support (M = 1.87) than did spouse caregivers (M = 1.57), F(3,600) = 16.23, p < .001. Results highlight that certain caregiving contexts (e.g., adult children caring for a parent) potentially increase family conflict, which has implications for caregiver burden. Family conflict over beliefs is also related to help-seeking in caregivers. Findings inform appropriate assessment and intervention regarding the family environment in caregiving.

An examination of Latino advanced cancer patients' and their informal caregivers' preferences for communication about advance care planning: A qualitative study.

Latino-advanced cancer patients engage in advance care planning (ACP) at lower rates than non-Latino patients. The goal of the present study was to understand patients' and caregivers' preferred methods of communicating about ACP. Patients and caregivers were interviewed about cultural, religious, and familial beliefs that influence engagement in ACP and preferences for ACP communication. Findings highlighted that Latino patients respect doctors' medical advice, prefer the involvement of family members in ACP discussions with doctors, hold optimistic religious beliefs (e.g., belief in miracles) that hinder ACP discussions, and prefer culturally competent approaches, such as using their native language, for learning how to discuss end-of-life (EoL) care preferences. Key cultural, religious, and familial beliefs and dynamics influence Latino engagement in ACP. Patients prefer a family-centered, physician informed approach to discussing ACP with consideration and incorporation of their religious medical beliefs about EoL care. Promising targets for improving the communication of and engagement in ACP include integrating cultural and religious beliefs in ACP discussions, providing information about ACP from the physician, involving family members in ACP discussions and decision-making, and giving instructions on how to engage in ACP discussions.

Mothering as a relational role: Re-evaluating everyday parenting occupations

ABSTRACT The family focused literature within occupational science has viewed parenting as an individualistic and bidirectional approach to parent-child interactions. This conceptualization is not fully able to capture the complexities associated with family beliefs and values, the multitude of social influences on parenting occupations, or the cultural world of parents as a whole. The results presented here are one aspect of a larger study that explored how primary caregivers (mothers) of children aged 2-6 years manage everyday interactions with their typically developing children and make decisions concerning everyday parenting. Constructivist grounded theory methodology was utilized to analyse 22 interviews from 12 mothers. Open, focused, and theoretical coding were used to construct a framework of parental decision-making. In addition to identifying the interrelated and varying nature of women’s many roles, this study found that the role of mother is comprised of multiple interconnected roles as caregiver, nurturer, educator, protector, and learner. Through analysis, it was discovered that it is more appropriate to study parenting as a relational role encompassing multiple occupations rather than describing parenting as an occupation or co-occupation. Additionally, the findings portray mothers as holistic occupational beings, in keeping with the proposed shift in occupational science to consider parent-child relationships from a transactional rather than bidirectional perspective.

Factores que inciden en la detección precoz de cáncer cervicouterino con Papanicolau

Introducción: El cáncer cervicouterino, más frecuente en las mujeres ocupando el segundo lugar, especialmente en poblaciones subdesarrolladas. La prevención primaria establece la vacunación contra los Papiloma Virus Humano, mientras que la secundaria determina la detección y tratamiento de las lesiones precancerosas y la terciaria diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer invasivo. El estudio pretende identificar los factores que inciden en la detección precoz de cáncer cervicouterino. Metodología: Es transversal, longitudinal y prospectivo, muestra conformada por 422 mujeres mayores de 20 años o que hayan iniciado relaciones sexuales antes de la edad determinada residentes en el municipio del Colcapirhua. Resultados: El 89% conocen el Papanicolau y como se realiza. El 56% dan mucha importancia, 26% poca importancia y el 18% no le interesa. La frecuencia con que se realizan: 43,4% una vez al año, 4,2% cada 2 años, 14% cuando se acuerdan y 38,8% nunca. Qué sienten al hacer el PAP: miedo 39%, vergüenza e incomodidad 46% y no me incomoda el examen 15%. Qué otros factores pueden impedir que acuda al examen: Económico 31%, distancia al centro de salud 12%, creencias religiosas y familiares 4%, por miedo del resultado 10%, falta de tiempo 19% y ninguno 23%. Y el 70% de las encuestadas prefieren ser atendidas por un profesional femenino. Discusión: Las mujeres que participaron en este estudio tienen conocimiento sobre el PAP, pero no se hacen el estudio por factores identificados como: Distancia al centro de salud, creencias religiosas y familiares, por miedo del resultado y falta de tiempo.&#x0D; Conflictos de InteresesLos autores declaramos no tener conflictos de interés para el presente estudio.

Involve Me, and I Learn: Preparing English Language Intensive Program Students to the Demands of their Academic Programs

This study aims to identify Saudi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' perspectives towards using the English language in their studies. The study explores students self-confident and its association with students' actual performance in English course in their different academic programs. A multimodal methodology was used to fulfill the research purpose and answer the research questions. A 25-item survey questionnaire and final examination grades were used to collect data. Two hundred forty-one students agreed to participate in the study. They completed the questionnaire and agreed to release their final grades to be a part of the collected data. The data were coded and analyzed by SPSS software. The findings indicated a significant difference in students' performance in English courses between participants' academic programs on the one hand. Students' self-confidence in their English language skills, on the other hand, was not significantly different between participants' academic programs. Data analysis also revealed no correlational relationship between students' self-confidence level and their language skills and their performance. The study raises more questions about other vital factors such as course instructors' views of the materials, faculty members of the target department, family belief in the usefulness of the program, protentional employers. These views and beliefs shape the student's preparation process and therefore, should be explored further.

Measurement of Patients' Perceptions of the Quality of Acute Stroke Services: Development and Validation of the STROKE Perception Report.

Patients' perceptions of healthcare quality have become an important part of quality measurement. We explored patients' and family's lived experiences during acute stroke hospitalization to develop a quantitative instrument. Focus groups were conducted using open-ended scripted questions. Interview data were coded and analyzed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. Symmetric patient and family instruments were developed based on qualitative domains and serially refined to a set of 30 survey items, 12 stroke knowledge test items, and 5 subject demographic fields. Scales were evaluated for internal consistency reliability using Cronbach α; construct validity with exploratory factor analysis using principal components with varimax rotation was performed to determine the extent to which items in a scale measure the same underlying factor. Feasibility of an electronic cloud-based survey was also tested. Three main themes emerged: fast action to diagnose and treat stroke, genuine caring, and education to prevent and respond to stroke. A total of 1029 subjects completed the final instrument with no differences in perception found by race, ethnicity, or length of stay. Scales showed satisfactory internal consistency reliability (Cronbach α scores, .89-.94); factor loadings across each scale ranged from 0.55 to 0.87. Data entry by electronic pad was perceived by 77% to be more confidential than paper surveys; median score for difficulty was 4 ("easy to use"). The STROKE Perception Report enables understanding of patients' and family's beliefs about the quality of acute stroke care in essential new domains never explored before.

Chaplain care in pediatric oncology: Insight for interprofessional collaboration

Although attending to spiritual and religious needs is part of high quality care of pediatric cancer patients, oncology clinicians may not understand the role of the chaplain, resulting in underutilization of resources and failure to fully integrate the chaplain into the clinical team. We provide a description of what the chaplain does in the care of pediatric oncology patients. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of chaplain chart notes over a one-year period on the pediatric oncology service at a freestanding children's hospital. Using criteria designed to capture multiple potential factors in chaplain referral, we selected 30 patients for thematic analysis. In 2016, 166 pediatric patients were diagnosed with cancer and received ongoing care at our institution. From the 30 patients selected, 230 chaplain encounters were documented in the medical chart. Three major themes emerged. (1) The chaplains provided a rich description of spiritual and psychosocial aspects of the patient and family's experience; (2) chaplains provided diverse interventions, both religious and secular in nature; and (3) chaplains provided care within a longitudinal relationship. All three themes depend on the empathic listening by a chaplain. The chaplains' observations about patient and family beliefs, experiences, and emotional/spiritual states have the potential to inform the interdisciplinary care of the patient. Chaplain documentation provides insight into how spiritual care interventions and close relationships may promote patient and family well-being. In future work, we will explore how to give voice to their insights in caring for pediatric oncology patients.