Factors Correlated with Family Adaptation in Families Having Children with Cancer

Abstract

This descriptive correlational study aimed to examine the relationship between factors correlated with family adaptation in families having children with cancer by using The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & McCubbin, 1993). The samples included 225 mothers of children with cancer who met the criteria completed a set of questionnaires, including the Lansky score, health and demographic form; Therapy-Relate Symptom Checklist for Children with the reliability of .89; Impact on Family Scales with the reliability of .80; Family Inventory of Resources and Management with the reliability of .80; Social Support Index with the reliability of .80; Family Crisis Oriented Personal Scales with the reliability of .88; and Family Adaptation Scales with the reliability of .96. Data were collected from January to February, 2014. Statistics applied for data analysis consisted of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient.

The study found that there were positive relationships between family adaptation in families having children with cancer and these following factors; family resources (r = .427, p < .001), social support (r = .376, p < .001), and family problem solving and coping skills (r = .420, p < .001). In addition, there was a negative relationship between family adaptation in families having children with cancer and cancer illness severity (r = -.230, p < .01). However, there was no relationship between family appraisal of illness and family adaptation in families having children with cancer.

This study suggested that nurses and family caretakers of children with cancer should be emphasized to family resources, social support, and family problem solving and coping skills, and cancer illness severity.