CARING FOR DYING CHILDREN: EXPERIENCES OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE TREATMENT

CARING FOR DYING CHILDREN: EXPERIENCES OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE TREATMENT

Tanriverdi M; Yilmaz GG

Neuro-Oncology

2024

care behavior; caregiver; dying; family; palliative therapy; Beck Anxiety Inventory; anxiety; child; clinical article; conference abstract; content analysis; correlation analysis; fear; human; mental health; quality of life; questionnaire; school child; semi structured interview

INTRODUCTION: Caring for children living with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses can be challenging for families. Parents' roles as primary caregivers can be complex, with extensive responsibilities. <br/>METHOD(S): A mixed-design study was conducted with the caregivers of 26 children receiving treatment in palliative care. In the qualitative part of the research, a semi-structured interview was conducted and the question "What does caring for a child with advanced stage cancer mean to you? What are your concerns and concerns?" were asked. In the quantitative part, the caregiving burden scale, Beck Anxiety Questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF quality of life scale were used. The relationship between quality and other factors was examined with Pearson correlation analysis. Phenomenological content analysis was performed for qualitative data. <br/>RESULT(S): As a result of the analysis of the data, two main themes were identified. The main themes from family caregivers' experiences included (1) fear and anxiety about losing their child, and (2) disconnection from other children and families. A statistically significant negative relationship was detected between caregivers' caregiving burden, anxiety levels, quality of life and sub-parameters (General Health, Physical Health, Mental Health, Social Health, Environmental Health) (p<0.001). <br/>CONCLUSION(S): Caring for a dying child with cancer can pose psychological challenges as well as medical and physical ones. Families' resilience, family dynamics and quality of life can be significantly affected. Treatment processes in palliative and oncological care are multifactorial and should include families.

Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

October List 2024