The Role of Parents in Their Child’s Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Socialization

Abstract

Background Parents play a critical role throughout the journey of a child’s cancer, from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Their involvement influences not only the child’s psychological well-being but also treatment outcomes and social adaptation. Understanding the dynamics of parental roles in these stages helps design interventions that support families more effectively during the cancer trajectory. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in three pediatric oncology centers between January 2023 and June 2024. A total of 150 parents of bychildren diagnosed with cancer were surveyed using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were collected to assess the extent of parental involvement at each stage: diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and socialization. Qualitative insights were analyzed thematically to explore challenges and coping strategies. Parental stress, coping mechanisms, and emotional involvement were measured using validated scales such as the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and Coping Strategy Inventory (CSI). Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis using SPSS software, version 28.