Fear and Coping in Children 5-9 years old Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - A Longitudinal Interview Study

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Ingela Leibring, Agneta Anderzén-Carlsson

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the fears of 5- to 9-year-old children related to having acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their strategies for coping with those fears. The study had a qualitative descriptive longitudinal design and included a total of 35 interviews with 13 children at three different times during their treatment period. Data were analyzed using a matrix-based method inspired by the work of Miles et al. RESULTS: Initially, most children reported a fear of needles, but during the treatment period, fewer children reported this fear. Children's coping strategies also changed over time, as they wanted more involvement and control during needle-related procedures. Other fears were having adhesive tapes removed, having a nasogastric tube, and taking tablets. During the treatment period, existential fears related to the seriousness of ALL and its consequences, such as having impaired physical fitness and being different from before and different from others, became more prominent and caused feelings of loneliness and alienation. The children described various fears through their treatment period, which they coped with using cognitive, emotional, and functional strategies. Over the 2.5-year period, their str...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 18, 2019·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Katarina KarlssonLaura Darcy
Nov 24, 2020·Nursing Children and Young People·Stefan NilssonMargaretha Jenholt Nolbris
Jun 4, 2021·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Angela Afua QuayeInger Kristensson Hallström
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Malin de FlonStefan Nilsson
Dec 24, 2021·Medical Anthropology·Pia Løvschal-NielsenLotte Meinert

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