title: Understanding the health impact of caregiving: a qualitative study of immigrant parents and single parents of children with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research looking at the health of parents of children with cancer typically uses outcome measures focused on symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. Our team builds on this literature to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the health impact of caregiving.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted with 79 Canadian parents of children with cancer at least 6 months post-diagnosis. Line-by-line coding was used to establish categories and themes. Constant comparison was used to examine relationships within and across codes and categories. Interviewing continued until no new themes emerged.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents described health concerns as including sleep disturbance, daytime fatigue, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and changes in social roles. Parents described the positive impacts of caregiving as including gaining a greater appreciation for child and family and developing compassion, empathy, patience, inner strength, and new perspectives on life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents of children with cancer can experience a range of health problems due to the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and the intensive and often prolonged nature of treatment and aftercare. Given the central role parents play as caregivers, it is crucial to understand the health impact of caregiving so that supportive interventions can be implemented as necessary.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, HSC 3N27, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4J9, Canada. aklass@mcmaster.ca
authors: Anne F
authors: AF
authors: Klassen
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Gulati
authors: Leeat
authors: L
authors: Granek
authors: Zahava R S
authors: ZR
authors: Rosenberg-Yunger
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Watt
authors: Lillian
authors: L
authors: Sung
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Klaassen
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Dix
authors: Nicola T
authors: NT
authors: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D002170:Canada; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology