title: Jordanian mothers' beliefs about the causes of cancer in their children and their impact on the maternal role.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arab culture and Islamic beliefs contribute to values and practices regarding cancer. Mothers in Jordanian society are expected to be the primary caregivers to children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to explore Jordanian mothers' beliefs regarding the causes of cancer in their children and their impact on their role as mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, qualitative design was used. Individual interviews were conducted with Jordanian mothers (n = 51) of hospitalized children with cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Causes of cancer were attributed to supernatural explanations and biomedical explanations. The impact of cancer on these mothers' lives varied. For some, their child's illness resulted in stronger family bonds, whereas for others, the families suffered a state of disequilibrium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cultural beliefs helped assign meaning to their children's illness. The maternal role of Jordanian women was partially fulfilled or inadequately performed, which in turn affected the functioning and coping abilities of the entire household.
authors.affiliation: The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. d.arabiat@ju.edu
authors.forename: Diana H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Arabiat
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Jabery
authors.forename: Raghad H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Abdelkader
authors.forename: Alia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahadeen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology; D007597:Jordan / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D012380:Role
keywords: Jordan; Middle Eastern culture; cultural beliefs; culture; maternal role; pediatric oncology; transcultural health