Stress and coping strategies among parents of children with cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital paediatric oncology unit, Ethiopia: a phenomenological study.

Stress and Coping Strategies in Parents of Children with Cancer

This study delves into the emotional journey of parents facing the challenging diagnosis of childhood cancer. The study focuses on the sources of stress, coping strategies, and conditions that alleviate stress in parents of children with cancer receiving chemotherapy at a specialized hospital in Ethiopia. The study aims to understand the unique challenges faced by these parents and identify potential interventions to improve their well-being.

Navigating the Stress of Childhood Cancer

The study identified various sources of stress for parents, including the severity of their child’s illness, fear of treatment side effects, loss of body parts, limited access to health facilities, long waiting times, prolonged hospital stays, lack of chemotherapy drugs, limited information, insufficient social support, stigma associated with cancer, and financial problems. Parents reported that positive changes in their child’s health, access to cancer treatment and drugs, receiving counseling from healthcare providers, getting social support, and knowing someone with a positive treatment outcome helped reduce their stress levels. The study’s findings highlight the multifaceted nature of stress experienced by parents of children with cancer and emphasize the importance of providing comprehensive support to address their emotional and practical needs.

Supporting Parents of Children with Cancer

The study underscores the critical need for comprehensive support systems for parents of children with cancer. This includes providing psycho-oncological care, improving counseling services, establishing and strengthening family support groups, promoting parent-to-parent communication, increasing access to chemotherapy drugs, and offering education on coping strategies. Just as a camel relies on its survival instincts to navigate the harsh desert landscape, parents of children with cancer must rely on a network of support to overcome the challenges they face. This study highlights the importance of providing timely and effective support to these families to help them cope with the emotional and practical burdens of childhood cancer.

Dr.Camel's Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the stressors and coping mechanisms of parents of children with cancer, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems to address their emotional and practical needs. By understanding the unique challenges faced by these families, we can develop strategies to provide support and empower them to navigate the difficult journey of childhood cancer.