Stress levels and coping strategies among Jordanian parents caring for newly diagnosed children with leukemia: A cross sectional descriptive correlational study.

The purpose of this study was to describe the stress experienced and coping approaches exhibited by Jordanian parents of children recently diagnosed with leukemia.This cross-sectional study collected data from parents of children who had been diagnosed with leukemia within the previous three months (N = 130; 57 fathers (43.8%) and 73 mothers (56.2%), age (Mean = 37.5, SD = 8.4)). The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form was used. Similarly, parents' coping approaches were assessed with the Coping Health Inventory for Parents.Parents' mean total stress and coping strategies scores were 108 (± 26.8) and 93.9 (± 15.6), respectively. There were significant negative relationships between parents' stress levels and age (r = -0.46, p = .01), education level (f = 28.5, p < .05), and income (r = -0.65, p = .01). Additionally, there were significant positive relationships between parents' coping strategies and age (r = 0.34, p = .01) and income (r = 0.53, p < .01). There were non-significant differences between fathers' and mothers' stress levels and coping strategies.Parents of children with leukemia experienced high stress. The findings also confirmed the negative relationship between parents' stress, age, education level, and income; and the positive relationship between parents' coping strategies, age, and income.Several strategies are needed to manage said stress; for example, respite care for parents who spend long hours at the hospital. Volunteers to care for children at home or hospital might also relieve parents' stress.

Changed Body Image as Perceived by Jordanian Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. The purpose of this study was to generate an understanding of women's perceptions of changes to their body image due to breast cancer treatment. Method: A phenomenological qualitative approach was taken and semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 women who underwent breast cancer treatment at a public hospital in Jordan. Results: Data were analyzed following Colaizzi's methodology, yielding a core theme ("Broken things cannot be repaired") and four subthemes: changes in physical wellbeing ("my body fall apart"), changes in emotional wellbeing ("broken heart"), changes in social wellbeing ("broken future"), and coping strategies ("repairing what has been broken"). Religion and family support were major factors helping the women cope with their condition. Conclusion: Nurses and other healthcare providers need to be aware of body image changes of women with breast cancer to initiate timely, and culturally sensitive nursing intervention and support. Therefore, nurses should support patients in finding their own sources of strength to facilitate their healing process.