Family support in improving quality of life of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

Chemotherapy is one of the most effective therapies for patients with cancer. In addition to its therapeutic effects, chemotherapy can also have side effects on children with cancer. Chemotherapy and its side effects can have an impact on children with cancer, particularly those requiring repeated hospitalizations, who are left with bad experiences from the therapies. In light of this fact, the treatment certainly can have an impact on the children's quality of life. One of the outstanding factors influencing the quality of life of children with cancer is family support. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between family support and the quality of life of children with cancer after chemotherapy. This study was a descriptive–correlational study with a cross-sectional design. The sample of the present study consisted of 30 children. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between family support and the quality of life of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy (p = .026). This finding showed the importance of family participation in taking care of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in order to increase their quality of life.