Study explores psychosocial needs of African American parents of children with cancer
Key takeaways:
- Significant psychosocial stressors included strained finances and material hardships.
- African American parents reported communication as a key coping mechanism.
Strained finances and material hardships are among significant psychosocial stressors facing African American parents of children with cancer, according to study results presented at Oncology Nursing Society Congress.
Systematic identification of material needs and actions to reduce stressors could help ease psychosocial distress among this population, researchers concluded.
Rationale and methods
Despite availability and efficacy of multiple psychosocial interventions over the past 2 to 3 decades for parents of children with cancer, most studies include inadequate samples of African American parents, Ijeoma Julie Eche, PhD, MPH, instructor in medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told Healio.
“African American parents of children with cancer face disproportionate psychosocial stressors and so the systematic exclusion in pediatric psychosocial research studies means that we do not know what they need and how to address that, which makes them more prone to poor psychosocial outcomes,” Eche said. “We do not know what African American families affected by childhood cancer need resource-wise and psychosocially. My research agenda is to amplify their needs so that they can receive psychosocial resources while caring for their children with cancer.”
Researchers conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews to elicit perspectives associated with psychosocial needs of 29 African American parents (21 biological mothers, six biological fathers, one stepmother and one grandmother) of children with cancer.
The single-center, grounded theory, qualitative study included constant comparative analysis to ensure that emerging concepts informed subsequent interviews.
Findings
Results of preliminary analyses that included eight parents showed emerging themes of communication to help cope with the emotional crises of childhood cancer, and strained finances and material hardships as significant psychosocial stressors.
Researchers identified actions that strengthened communication, including Bible reading, uttering prayers to God or a higher being or with faith communities, talking with loved ones, and active listening by the oncology care team.
Implications
“Oncologists should be more aware of the high psychosocial needs that African American parents of children with cancer face and then intervene by assessing more frequently for gaps in needs and addressing their needs throughout care trajectory. That way, these parents may experience less distress,” Eche said. “I am currently interviewing pediatric oncology nurses to understand their current practices, needs, barriers and overall perspectives of being psychosocial interventionists for African American parents of children with cancer. Data from these studies will inform development of a nurse-led, culturally congruent psychosocial intervention.”
References:
- Eche IJ, et al. Abstract 087. Presented at: Oncology Nursing Society Congress; April 26-30, 2023; San Antonio.
- Dana-Farber nurses present research and evidence-based practice projects at 2023 Oncology Nursing Society Congress (press release). Available at: www.dana-farber.org/newsroom/news-releases/2023/dana-farber-nurses-present-research-and-evidence-based-practice-projects-at-2023-oncology-nursing-society-congress/. Published April 27, 2023. Accessed April 28, 2023.
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Eche IJ, et al. Abstract 087. Presented at: Oncology Nursing Society Congress; April 26-30, 2023; San Antonio.
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