The influence of parental perceptions of vulnerability on quality of life in pediatric cancer patients aged 5-7 years.

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between parental perceptions of child vulnerability and quality of life (QOL) in children aged 5-7 years diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, it investigates how parental perceptions influence children's QOL and provides insights into psychosocial support strategies for families facing this challenge.

Design and methods: This descriptive and correlational study involved children aged 5 to 7 years diagnosed with cancer, along with their parents. A total of 117 children and their parents participated. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, the Child Vulnerability Scale (CVS), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Both the parent and child forms of the PedsQL were used. Statistical analyses included t-tests, correlation, and regression analyses.

Results: The results indicate that a significant proportion of parents (69.2 %) perceive their children as vulnerable, negatively affecting their children's QOL. The Child Vulnerability Scale showed a negative correlation with several QOL subdimensions, including pain, nausea, procedural anxiety, worry, cognitive problems, and communication. Parental perceptions of vulnerability were associated with lower QOL scores on both the parent and child forms of the PedsQL. Notably, child perceptions of vulnerability explained only 22.2 % of the variance in QOL.

Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of parental perceptions in shaping the QOL of children with cancer. Managing and supporting parents' perceptions is essential to improving children's QOL and the effectiveness of healthcare services.

Practice implications: This study has significant implications for nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of guiding and supporting parents to optimize their children's QOL. Furthermore, it sheds light on the tendency of parents of chronically ill children to perceive them as vulnerable, providing valuable insights for more sensitive and effective care. However, the study's limitations suggest the need for more extensive research with larger and more diverse sample groups, which could significantly advance nursing practice.