title: A qualitative exploration of psychosocial support for siblings of children with cancer.
abstract: This qualitative study investigated what school-aged siblings of children with cancer perceive to be helpful in adjusting to having a sibling with cancer. The conceptual framework was guided by the work of House (1981) on social support. The sample comprised 50 school-aged siblings of children with cancer. Siblings were asked to "write about things they wish nurses or parents would do to help children who have a brother or sister with cancer" and "discuss things that nurses or their parents have done that have been helpful in adjusting to the childhood cancer experience." Content analysis revealed that the majority of siblings reported interventions aimed at meeting their needs for emotional and instrumental support, followed by informational and appraisal support, as being most helpful in adjusting to the childhood cancer experience. Social support interventions should be provided to siblings based on comprehensive assessments.
authors.affiliation: Wright-Patterson Medical Center, 4881 Sugar Maple Drive, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-5529, USA. John.Murray@wpafb.af.mil
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires