Difficulties reported by caregivers of children and adolescents with leukemia: behavioral and family changes

Authors

  • Marina Kohlsdorf Universidade de Brasília UnB
  • Áderson Luiz da Costa Junior

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v14i1.15320

Keywords:

pediatric cancer, pediatric leukemia, caregivers

Abstract

Childhood cancer treatment exposes patients and their families to several demands and challenges, which involve changes in family dynamics, beliefs related to the treatment, fear of relapse, financial costs, and changes in both professional and family routines. The main goal of this study was to analyze the impact of the first six months of leukemia treatment upon routine, family dynamics, educational parenting patterns, and patients´ and caregivers´ behavioral patterns, using semi-structured interviews carried out at two times during treatment. Thirty caregivers participated in the study. The results indicate relevant changes related to patients’ behavior, such as heightened anger and absence of collaboration. Educational parenting patterns were characterized by higher permissiveness during this stage in addition to secondary gains and overprotective behavior. On the other hand, the caregivers indicated the gradual acquisition of skills to deal with invasive procedures and side effects related to antineoplasic medication, during treatment. The participants highlighted relevant changes related to caregivers´ professional and social-family routine. These data indicate the need to investigate, in a specific and systematic way, the difficulties to which caregivers and patients are exposed to during treatment, so as to promote more efficient psychosocial intervention strategies.

 

Keywords: pediatric cancer; pediatric leukemia; caregivers.

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Published

2010-10-25

How to Cite

Kohlsdorf, M., & da Costa Junior, Áderson L. (2010). Difficulties reported by caregivers of children and adolescents with leukemia: behavioral and family changes. Interação Em Psicologia, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v14i1.15320

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2010)

Section

Articles

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