Contrasting parental perspectives with those of teenagers and young adults with cancer: comparing the findings from two qualitative studies.
OBJECTIVE
To compare and contrast the issues raised in narrative data gathered from parents of teenagers and young adults with cancer with interview data gathered from young adults being treated for cancer.


METHODS
A narrative correspondence method elicited contributions from the parents of 28 young adults with cancer. In-depth qualitative interviews were undertaken with 28 young adults in treatment for cancer or soon after their treatment.


RESULTS
The secondary analysis of the two data sets illuminates contrasting familial perspectives. While some of the topics raised by parents are also addressed by young people, their perspectives differ thus offering a 'mirror image' of the same issue. The contrast in priorities can contribute to stress within the family and can increase the danger of conflict over key decisions that may impact upon the health of the young adult with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
If the potential conflicts are anticipated and understood and as a consequence handled with skill by professionals in the setting of care, this can benefit family relationships which can be thrown into crisis by the illness. It is thus important that a model of care that incorporates such an understanding is widely implemented in order to mitigate the negative impact on family dynamics when cancer is diagnosed in young adulthood.
Grinyer
Anne
A
Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Alexandra Square, Lancaster LA1 4YT, UK. a.grinyer@lancaster.ac.uk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult