Quality of Life of Families Caring for Preschool Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia undergoing Chemotherapy: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Childhood cancer presents as a significant and life-threatening illness that profoundly impacts the well-being of the entire family of the affected child throughout the trajectory of the disease. This qualitative descriptive study explored strategies to improve family quality of life according to the perspective of families of preschool children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Data were collected from March to June 2019 through in-depth individual interviews with 32 family members aged 20-50 years from the outpatient hematology department and pediatric ward. Content analysis was used for data analysis which revealed three themes: 1) Modification of family function: they needed adjustment of family roles, preparing family caregivers for cancer care, and maintaining family interactions; 2) Effectiveness of family communication: there were contents, methods, and information sharing; and 3) Social support for family caregiving, including external and spiritual support. Findings could help nurses and other health providers identify and promote potentially effective strategies to improve the quality of care and the quality of life of patients and families. The findings also provide valuable insights for nurses to develop interventions to enhance and promote the reorganization of family roles to take of the child with leukemia, as well as chemotherapy treatment communication in the family and support for family caregiving.