Factors predicting maternal coping with childhood cancer: part I

Abstract

Childhood cancer is a life-threatening disease that has an impact on a child's quality of life and which causes physical and psychological stress to the mother. A study of factors connected to the ways mothers deal with childhood cancer can guide pediatric oncology nurses to assist mothers to cope effectively with the situation. Coping effectively with this matter would consequently lead to an improvement of the child's quality of life. This study aimed to examine factors which can predict maternal coping with childhood cancer at 4-6 weeks after a child had been diagnosed with cancer. Seventy-six mothers whose children were newly diagnosed with cancer participated in the study during the 4-6 weeks stage. Seven questionnaires were used in this study, comprising: the Demographic Data Questionnaire, the Caregiver Role Stress Index, the Laffrey Health Conception Scale, the Personal Resource Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scales, and the Knowledge in Caring for Children with Cancer Questionnaire. The reliability of these questionnaires ranged from 0.81-0.94. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used to analyze data. The results indicated that maternal health status (β = .36, p < .001), maternal social support (β = .30, p < .01), and maternal stress (β = .36, p < .001) were predictors of maternal coping at 4-6 weeks after the child was diagnosed with cancer. These three predictors could explain 42% of the total variance of maternal coping with childhood cancer. The findings support the stress, appraisal and coping results of Lazarus and Folkman and are congruent with previous studies of childhood cancer. Nursing interventions for reducing maternal stress, and enhancing maternal health status and maternal social support are suggested to promote effective coping in mothers.

Keywords

• maternal coping
• childhood cancer