Living With Cancer

Child-Parent Dyads' Perspectives and Experiences From a Private Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Bibliographic Data

ID4644985
AuthorsSehrish Sajjad (0000-0003-3889-0507, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, corresponding author), Rubina Barolia (0000-0002-7498-3308, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan), Raisa B Gul (Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University)
Year2025
Volume35
Issue2
Pages174-189
Publication date2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/10497323241255636
PMID39110198
OpenAlexW4401390940
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited58

The life experiences of children with cancer and their parents as individuals have been well documented in literature. However, little is known about their experiences as child-parent dyads in Pakistan regarding these children's quality of life. Thus, the study was conducted in the context of the family-centric society of Pakistan. In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 participants (14 child-parent dyads), comprising 9 female and 5 male children receiving cancer treatment and 8 mothers and 6 fathers (primary caregivers). All the participants were Muslims and hailed from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and most belonged to middle socioeconomic backgrounds. Thematic analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) framework, which revealed four themes: (1) Stress, Fears, and Optimism; (2) Reactions to Restrictions; (3) Adaptation and Coping; and (4) Support Structure and Mechanisms. The findings indicated that children's and parents' daily lives were affected in various ways during the children's cancer journey. They faced several challenges which impacted their well-being. Particularly, the children considered their symptoms as restrictions in the way of carrying out their routine lives. However, children and parents also elaborated on using different coping strategies, such as play, reminiscing the past, incorporating religious practices into their daily routines, and keeping a family-centred approach towards the child's care. The parents also recommended that cancer-specialised services and support groups should be accessible. Conclusively, these findings are useful for healthcare providers in giving family-centred care to afflicted families and devising innovative interventions that address the needs of children with cancer and improve their quality of life

Developmental psychology · Ethnic group · Health care · Optimism · Population · Psychological intervention · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Socioeconomic status · Thematic analysis · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Clinical Psychology · Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology