Abstract
This study, based on grounded theory, explores the adaptational process of parents of pediatric oncology patients. Thirty-two Taiwanese parents (26 mothers and 6 fathers) were interviewed. Data were collected through individual in-depth and focus group interviews, observations, medical chart review, nurses' note, and researchers' reflexive journals. The findings suggest that parents adapt to their children's cancer by a dynamic process; i.e., they modify their coping tasks and related strategies as clinical events (e.g., diagnosis, side effects, relapses, or death) occur. This adaptational process consisted of five components: confronting treatment, maintaining family integrity, establishing support, maintaining emotional well-being, and searching for spiritual meaning. Related factors such as coping tasks are described.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 119-131 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Pediatric Hematology and Oncology |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Coping tasks and strategies
- Parental adaptational process
- Pediatric oncology patients
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Hematology
- Oncology