Emotional Changes and Experiences of Parents with Cancer Following CLIMB® Program: A Pilot Study

Abstract

When a parent raising a child develops cancer, he/she faces difficulties in continuing the parental role. For parents to face their own cancer treatment with peace of mind, supporting them in reducing challenges related to the parental role and promoting communication with their children is essential. This pilot study was designed to implement the Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery (CLIMB®) program for cancer parents and determine quality of life (QoL), psychological anxiety, and parents’ emotional changes/experiences. This study analyzed the changes in scores for QoL and psychological anxiety before and after participation in CLIMB®. The changes perceived by the parents were examined qualitatively and descriptively through semi-structured interviews. There were five participants (four mothers and one father). Their mean age was 48 ± 7.0 years. QoL increased from 63.4 ± 4.1 (63.0) to 69.2 ± 5.1 (70.0) points. On the subscale, emotional changes/experiences increased significantly from 16.6 ± 3.1 (16.0) to 20.4 ± 3.2 (20.0) points (p = 0.04). Psychological anxiety, measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), decreased for both state and trait anxiety (p = 0.04). After participating in CLIMB®, parents recognized their own hard work and felt less guilty about their children. In the parent-child relationship, parents and children were able to face cancer together and communicate their feelings to each other. It is essential to continue to intervene to promote communication between parents and children.