Why breast cancer patients avoid communicating disease-related information to their dependent children: A qualitative study.
bad news
breast cancer
children
family
parental concern
Journal
Journal of clinical nursing
ISSN: 1365-2702
Titre abrégé: J Clin Nurs
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9207302
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Apr 2023
Apr 2023
Historique:
revised:
13
02
2022
received:
27
10
2021
accepted:
17
02
2022
pubmed:
12
4
2022
medline:
10
3
2023
entrez:
11
4
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
This qualitative study explores why breast cancer patients do not share disease-related information with their dependent children. 'Open' communication between breast cancer patients and their children is beneficial to both. However, some still try to avoid discussing their diagnosis and related information with their children. Some worries lie in communicating with dependent children, but the underlying cause remains unclear. Qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interview was used in this study. Twenty breast cancer patients with children (aged 8-18 years) were recruited at two urban tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyse and identify themes and subthemes. This study followed the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies. Three main themes were identified: (1) Uncertainty about the future: Their struggles with cancer remain a sensitive subject with their children. They described the uncertainty surrounding their disease prognosis and their children's response. They were also unsure whether, when and how to inform their children of their conditions; (2) Useless and risky for their children to know the truth: They considered it useless because their children can neither understand nor change the existing facts. They were concerned that it could affect their children's emotional state, character and academic performance; and (3) All for their children's sake: They were willing to take care of their affairs without troubling their dependent children as much as possible. Most mothers delayed communicating disease-related information to their dependent children. However, they often underestimated children's abilities and ignored their thoughts and wishes. Motherhood leads to avoidance and concealment in discussing health issues with their children. Mothers should try to understand their children's views towards cancer earlier. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should provide further consultation and intervention services to assist mothers and their children.
Sections du résumé
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
This qualitative study explores why breast cancer patients do not share disease-related information with their dependent children.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
'Open' communication between breast cancer patients and their children is beneficial to both. However, some still try to avoid discussing their diagnosis and related information with their children. Some worries lie in communicating with dependent children, but the underlying cause remains unclear.
DESIGN
METHODS
Qualitative descriptive study.
METHODS
METHODS
Semi-structured interview was used in this study. Twenty breast cancer patients with children (aged 8-18 years) were recruited at two urban tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyse and identify themes and subthemes. This study followed the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Three main themes were identified: (1) Uncertainty about the future: Their struggles with cancer remain a sensitive subject with their children. They described the uncertainty surrounding their disease prognosis and their children's response. They were also unsure whether, when and how to inform their children of their conditions; (2) Useless and risky for their children to know the truth: They considered it useless because their children can neither understand nor change the existing facts. They were concerned that it could affect their children's emotional state, character and academic performance; and (3) All for their children's sake: They were willing to take care of their affairs without troubling their dependent children as much as possible.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Most mothers delayed communicating disease-related information to their dependent children. However, they often underestimated children's abilities and ignored their thoughts and wishes. Motherhood leads to avoidance and concealment in discussing health issues with their children.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
CONCLUSIONS
Mothers should try to understand their children's views towards cancer earlier. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should provide further consultation and intervention services to assist mothers and their children.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
1230-1239Subventions
Organisme : National Natural Science Foundation of China
ID : 71974218
Organisme : Guangzhou Concord Medical Humanities Research and Education Fund
ID : 23000-3050070
Informations de copyright
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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