Childhood cancer: maternal perceptions and strategies for coping with diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal perceptions of childhood cancer and strategies for coping in a pediatric unit in Recife, Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive exploratory study was conducted using qualitative methods. The reports of 10 patients' mothers were analyzed according to a saturation sampling technique. The investigation was conducted in a pediatric oncology unit of the Instituto Materno-Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira. Fieldwork was carried out from March to May 2006 using observation techniques and recorded interviews to respond to three guiding questions. Content analysis and thematic coding were used, and recurrent themes were extracted from the categories identified. RESULTS: Mothers' ages ranged from 22 to 39 years, and two had only one child. The following themes stood out in the analysis of maternal perceptions of the moment that they were living: attitudes and feelings when the disease was diagnosed; information as support for coping; and social support. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal perceptions of childhood cancer revealed a shocking, painful and despairing experience, as well as a sensation of loss that made life meaningless. The sources of family support were individual religious beliefs, family members, healthcare team and friends.

Câncer infantil: percepções maternas e estratégias de enfrentamento frente ao diagnóstico / Childhood cancer: maternal perceptions and strategies for coping with diagnosis

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a percepção materna frente ao câncer infantil e as estratégias de enfrentamento em uma unidade pediátrica do Recife. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo e exploratório conduzido pela pesquisa qualitativa, com base no relato de 10 mães acompanhantes, seguindo o método de amostragem por saturação. O local da investigação foi a unidade de oncologia pediátrica do Instituto Materno-Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira. O trabalho de campo transcorreu no período de março a maio de 2006, utilizando técnicas de observação e entrevista gravada, em resposta a três questões norteadoras. Utilizou-se análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática transversal, sendo extraídos temas recorrentes do corpus das categorizações. RESULTADOS: As entrevistadas tinham idade entre 22 e 39 anos, sendo duas mães de filho único. Entre as percepções maternas do momento vivido, sobressaíram-se os temas: atitudes e sentimentos revelados na descoberta da doença; o esclarecimento como subsídio para o enfrentamento; e o apoio social. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico do câncer infantil na perspectiva materna revelou uma experiência chocante, dolorosa e desesperadora, além da sensação de "perda", deixando a "vida sem sentido". Os suportes para o apoio familiar foram: as crenças religiosas individuais, a família, a equipe de saúde e os amigos.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal perceptions of childhood cancer and strategies for coping in a pediatric unit in Recife, Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive exploratory study was conducted using qualitative methods. The reports of 10 patients' mothers were analyzed according to a saturation sampling technique. The investigation was conducted in a pediatric oncology unit of the Instituto Materno-Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira. Fieldwork was carried out from March to May 2006 using observation techniques and recorded interviews to respond to three guiding questions. Content analysis and thematic coding were used, and recurrent themes were extracted from the categories identified. RESULTS: Mothers' ages ranged from 22 to 39 years, and two had only one child. The following themes stood out in the analysis of maternal perceptions of the moment that they were living: attitudes and feelings when the disease was diagnosed; information as support for coping; and social support. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal perceptions of childhood cancer revealed a shocking, painful and despairing experience, as well as a sensation of loss that made life meaningless. The sources of family support were individual religious beliefs, family members, healthcare team and friends.