Experiences of Parents in Providing Care and Support to Their Children with Cancer While Striving for Resilience in East Kalimantan: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Childhood cancer is a life-changing experience for both the child and the parents. Uncertainty about the health condition, fear of losing their child, the high demand on time and energy for ongoing care, and financial burdens can lead to considerable stress on parents and their ability to provide optimal care for their child. Adequate resilience is needed to help parents to cope and adapt to the situations they are dealing with. Exploring how parents of children with cancer deal with the different phases of feelings and challenges while caring for their child will help care providers, especially nurses, identify appropriate interventions to help parents stay resilient. Methods: This is a qualitative study that employs a phenomenological approach to explore the experience of resilience among parents who are caring for their children with cancer. The study involved 11 mothers whose children were receiving treatment at a cancer referral hospital in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique, and semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with each participant. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews: the adverse impact on parents, their endeavours to regain strength, and the fluctuating emotions encountered during the adaptation process. Conclusion: Attaining resilience involves traversing challenging phases, which are characterised by both moments of strength and vulnerability. The support they receive from their immediate community proves invaluable in helping parents adapt to evolving circumstances, enabling them to fulfil their roles as carers and provide optimal care for their children.