Predictors of the Posttraumatic Growth in Parents of Children with Leukemia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Parents caring for children with leukemia experience a tremendous challenge to get positive results in overcoming traumatic events with their children. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of posttraumatic growth in parents of children with leukemia. METHODS: One hundred thirty seven parents (117 mothers and 20 fathers) of children with leukemia participated this study from May to August in 2016. Participants completed self-report measures of posttraumatic growth, core belief, deliberate rumination, resilience and social support. RESULTS: All the variables were positively correlated with posttraumatic growth. Core belief, resilience and social support were significant predictors related to posttraumatic growth in parents of children with leukemia and explained for 54% of the variance in posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSION: The results show that there are several factors affecting posttraumatic growth in parents of children with leukemia. Therefore, nursing intervention programs including strengthening resilience, revising core belief as well as utilizing social support systems should be provided for this population in order to enhance positive psychological change beyond parental traumatic events related to children with leukemia.