"Being a Good Parent" During Times of Illness as Defined by Chinese Children With Cancer, Their Parents, and Providers.

Abstract

Background: Identifying the definition of "being a good parent" facilitates the understanding of parents' personal beliefs and deeds regarding their ill child.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the concept of "being a good parent to my ill child" during pediatric cancer treatment from the perspective of Chinese children, parents, and providers.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 6 children, 18 parents, 5 doctors, 19 nurses, and 3 social workers by semistructured interviews at 3 Chinese hospitals.

Results: Except for "letting the Lord lead," 7 themes from the original conceptual model were validated, for example, "being there for my child" (n = 51, 100.0%); "doing right by my child" (n = 38, 74.5%), "being an advocate for my child" (n = 27, 52.9%), "conveying love to my child" (n = 26, 51.0%), "making my child healthy" (n = 18, 35.3%), "being a good life example" (n = 13, 25.5%), and "not allowing suffering" (n = 13, 25.5%). A new theme, "rebuilding myself" (n = 39, 76.5%), emerged in the Chinese context. "Being a good parent to my ill child" is perceived differently among stakeholders. Healthcare professionals' facilitation to fulfill the concept included "recognizing the individualized good-parent definition," "providing best available care" and "establishing a supportive environment."

Conclusion: "Being a good parent to my ill child" is meaningfully expressed by Chinese parents and recognized by children and providers during pediatric cancer treatment.

Implications for practice: It is important to support parents in conveying their internal good parent definition and sharing it with stakeholders. Attention should be paid to related cultural influencers, a supportive family-friendly environment, and shared decision making involving the child's voice.