Concept Analysis of Stress in Siblings of Patients with Childhood Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to define the concept of stress in siblings of childhood cancer patients. Methods: The hybrid model was used to perform the concept analysis of stress in childhood cancer patients’ siblings. Through reviews of 16 studies in the theoretical phase and interviews with 20 siblings in the field phase, the derived results were brought together in the integration phase. Results: The concept of stress in siblings of patients with childhood cancer was found to have 6 attributes and 28 indicators in 3 domains. Personal factors included 2 attributes (fear about childhood cancer and immature coping skills), and family factors had 2 attributes (changes in relationships with family and changes in family environment), social factors had 2 attributes (changes in relationships with friends and in the school experience, and insufficient social support). Conclusion: The stress of siblings of childhood cancer patients was defined as a state of tension associated with personal, family, social factors that can be related to their siblings’ childhood cancer. The findings in this study provide the base for the development of a tool for measuring siblings’ stress and/or the development of nursing programs for these siblings.