Informal Social Support: A Collaborative Stress Management Initiative for Mothers of Cancer Children

Abstract

Diagnosis of childhood cancer represents one of the most sever stressors for the children's mothers. There is limited evidence of research directed toward assisting mothers of cancer children to develop strategies to cope with the complex experiences associated with the diagnosis of their children at the time of the diagnosis, and before their reaction to stress recognized. The current study is a pilot project sought to investigate the potential of a new type of initiative based on the idea of providing the mothers of cancer children with informal social support, were the support initiated in collaboration between the academic and clinical staffs. The informal social support initiative program started at the time of child diagnosis before the patient and patient families requested or even the physician ordered. Surveys results, along with discussion of the potential implications for reducing stress and anticipatory stress among mothers of cancer children by informal social support are presented.