Having a parent with cancer: coping and quality of life of children during serious illness in the family

Abstract

Little research has addressed how a parent's cancer affects young children. The purpose of this study was to explore the well-being and coping of young children during a period of cancer illness in the family. An explorative design was chosen, and data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews with children (ages, 7-12 years) and their parents. Data were analyzed and interpreted within a phenomenologic-hermeneutic frame of understanding. Four major themes emerged in the findings: illness ruling in the family, reactions over and under the surface, many efforts to manage the situation, and feeling good most of the time. This report discusses how children's reactions and their management of such a difficult life event affect their quality of life. By going "in and out" of the situation, both literally and emotionally, the children cope with the situation and maintain a balance in life. In general, the children reported "feeling good," but they put a lot of effort into it, and their quality of life appeared to be fragile. Their well-being was especially vulnerable at the time of the diagnosis and when the illness situation changed.