A Qualitative Study to Assess the Stressful Factors and the Coping Strategies of Parents of Children Living with Cancer Admitted in a Selected Hospital in New Delhi

A qualitative study to assess the stressful factors and the coping strategies of parents of children living with cancer admitted in a selected hospital in New Delhi. Phenomenological research design was used in the study. Unstructured interview guide with trigger questions were developed. Sampling technique employed was Purposive sampling. Samples were parents who were taking care of their children with cancer for a period of 6-12 months. Sample size was based on the saturation of data which was achieved after interviewing 9 parents of children with cancer. Data was collected using in-depth interviews which was a kind of self-reporting method. The in-depth individual interviews were recorded in an audio-recorder and transcribed and translated from Hindi to English. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and there was emergence of themes, sub-themes and categories. It can be concluded that Parents of children with cancer have the daunting task of both parenting and caring for their child with cancer. The diagnosis and treatment services need to be more accessible to families all over the country as these further compounds to the distress and anxiety among the parents of children with cancer.