Effects of childhood cancer on family functioning: A mixed-methods study from parental perspective

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined the impact of childhood cancer on family functioning from a parental perspective. Parents of children on-treatment were included in the study. Quantitative data were collected from 246 parents, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify key predictors. Additionally, qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 28 parents and analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative results indicated that higher perceived social support, parental resilience, and effective coping strategies were positively associated with family functioning, whereas a longer cancer trajectory and heavier caregiving burden had negative effects (p < 0.05). Qualitative findings revealed that parents experienced significant emotional strain, evolving family roles, and challenges in balancing attention across family members. Supportive networks, empathic healthcare providers, and adaptive coping strategies may serve as important protective factors against the negative impact of a cancer diagnosis, which affects not only the diagnosed child but also the entire web of family relationships.