A safe space to breathe

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a mutual aid hospital-based group intervention, “Parent Connect”, in supporting parental coping and adjustment to their child’s diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Method: Parents meeting eligibility were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews to capture their experience and the impact of the intervention. A thematic analysis of the data was completed.

Results: A total of seven parents participated in semi-structured interviews. The mean age of participants was 40 years and 86% of participants were female. Fifty-seven per cent (n = 4) of parent participants had children with diagnoses of blood cancer, and 43% (n = 3) of parent participants had a child diagnosed with a brain tumour/neuroblastoma. Parents reported positive experiences associated with group attendance with interview themes including the importance of connection, community, support, time out, choice and mutual aid. The importance of connections was highlighted in parents’ responses as was the opportunity to have a break where they could have conversations with other adults who appreciated the stress and challenges associated with their child’s oncology diagnosis through the nature of a shared experience.

Discussion: Parent Connect Groups appear to be an effective intervention in reducing psychosocial distress and feelings of isolation, playing a vital role in the development of parent support and community in paediatric oncology hospital wards. Evidence is presented of the importance of providing parents of children with cancer a safe, facilitated space to share their experiences and provide support and mutual aid to one another.

KEYWORDS:

• Childhood cancer
• parents
• coping
• mutual aid
• in-patient

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge Redkite who collaborated on the development and offering of the Parent Connect Groups, and Helen Wilson, Social Worker and co-developer of the groups.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.