Predictors of Perceived Family Sense of Coherence in Parents of Children with Cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Despite improvement in childhood cancer survival in recent decades, it is still an extremely challenging health condition for parents. The impacts of childhood cancer on the family as a whole are recently interested by researchers. Family coherence is one of these concepts and health-care providers need to understand the perception of parents of family coherence. This study aimed to assess the correlation between perceived family sense of coherence (SOC) in parents of children with cancer; with socio-demographic, psycho-emotional and family-related variables.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional correlational study recruited 125 parents of children with cancer attending hospitals in Tehran in 2020, selected by convenience sampling method. The correlation between family SOC and demographic variables, chronic sorrow, coping behaviours, family functioning and social support was investigated using regression analysis.

Results: The mean score perceived sense of family coherence in parents of children with cancer was higher in fathers (Beta = 0.17, P = 0.02), urban residents (beta = -0.2, P = 0.01) and homeowners (beta = -0.27, P = 0.001). The sense of family coherence had positive correlations with income grade (beta = 0.27, P = 0.006), coping behaviours (beta = 1.28, P = 0.002), social support (beta = 0.67, P = 0.001), negative correlations with the disturbance in family problem-solving (beta = -0.28, P = 0.006) and chronic sorrow (beta=-0.39, P = 0.001).

Conclusion: The present study expanded the concept of family SOC in nursing knowledge and attracted the attention of the providers of family-centred care to the parents of children with cancer and their concerns, which directly and indirectly affect the entire family's health.

Keywords: Cancer; Child; Family sense of coherence.