Coping strategies adapted by parents caring for children with cancer: a qualitative exploratory study in Ghana

Caring for children with cancer by parents in Ghana is associated with diverse psychological and emotional burdens. However, such parents utilize coping strategies to adjust to their distressing situations. There is dearth of literature on the coping strategies of parents of children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to explore the coping strategies adapted by parents of children with cancer.

A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed to conduct the study. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit seventeen parents of children with cancer. Semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth data collection. Data was analysed using content analysis approach.

Parents reported that emotional and spiritual support enhanced parental coping to the ordeal associated with caring for children with cancer. The parents shared that counselling, self-motivation and inspiration from family and health professionals immensely assisted them to cope. Spiritual support through personal belief in God, religious activities and support from their priests and church members were other strategies parents employed to cope with the traumatising experience associated with caring for children with cancer.

This study concludes that parents of children with cancer are better able to cope with the distress encountered in their children’s care journey through emotional and spiritual support.