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Understanding the health impact of caregiving: a qualitative study of immigrant parents and single parents of children with cancer

Abstract

Purpose  

Research looking at the health of parents of children with cancer typically uses outcome measures focused on symptoms of anxiety,
depression, or post-traumatic stress. Our team builds on this literature to provide a more comprehensive understanding of
the health impact of caregiving.

Methods  

Interviews were conducted with 79 Canadian parents of children with cancer at least 6 months post-diagnosis. Line-by-line
coding was used to establish categories and themes. Constant comparison was used to examine relationships within and across
codes and categories. Interviewing continued until no new themes emerged.

Results  

Parents described health concerns as including sleep disturbance, daytime fatigue, anxiety, depression, social isolation,
and changes in social roles. Parents described the positive impacts of caregiving as including gaining a greater appreciation
for child and family and developing compassion, empathy, patience, inner strength, and new perspectives on life.

Conclusion  

Parents of children with cancer can experience a range of health problems due to the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis
and the intensive and often prolonged nature of treatment and aftercare. Given the central role parents play as caregivers,
it is crucial to understand the health impact of caregiving so that supportive interventions can be implemented as necessary.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-11
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-0072-8
  • Authors
    • Anne F. Klassen, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, HSC 3N27, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4J9, Canada
    • Sonia Gulati, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, 3A, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
    • Leeat Granek, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, 3A, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
    • Zahava R. S. Rosenberg-Yunger, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, 3A, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
    • Lisa Watt, School of Social Work, McMaster University, KTH-319, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4, Canada
    • Lillian Sung, Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
    • Robert Klaassen, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON KIH 8L1, Canada
    • David Dix, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, A119D, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 4C9, Canada
    • Nicola T. Shaw, Departments of Psychology and Sociology, Algoma University, 1520 Queen Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4, Canada