Medical fear of children with leukemia and its influencing factors: a qualitative study from China
摘要
Children diagnosed with leukemia often undergo prolonged hospitalization for chemotherapy, during which treatment-related fears may adversely affect both their immediate treatment response and long-term psychological development. This study aims to deeply explore the nature and dynamics of medical fears in children with leukemia during chemotherapy. This study was conducted under a qualitative research design, employing a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews centered around four core questions regarding the medical fear experiences of children with leukemia were carried out with 12 child-caregiver dyads. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological analysis method to identify and describe the medical fears of these children and their influencing factors. Four main themes were identified: (i) pain-centered fear experience; (ii) fear of death and its variations; (iii) fear of lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiration and its variations; and (iv) transmission of fear by caregivers. Pain remained the central factor influencing medical fear. Children’s fears predominantly concerned death and invasive procedures, with intensity varying across treatment phases. Caregivers’ fears also changed over time and mutually influenced the children’s emotional states.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the complexity of medical fears in children with leukemia and underscore the influential role of caregivers—as the closest emotional bonds—in shaping these fears. Understanding the dynamics of children’s fears and the role of caregivers is essential for providing effective family-centered support.