PURPOSE: One of the important factors in helping both children with acute l
ymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their family members during the difficult t
reatment period is the support they receive. However, there is a scarcity o
f research that examines the adaptation to such an experience from the fami
ly's perspective. This discussion presents the findings from recent researc
h on accessing support from the perspective of parents with a child undergo
ing treatment for ALC.
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: A longitudinal, qualitative study informed by a pheno
menological methodology. The results are taken from parent interviews under
taken during the time period from the end of induction-remission to the end
of the ii-week period (time period T1), collected over the first year of o
peration of the study.
RESULTS: The need for support was reported as intense, and offers of suppor
t tend to lessen over time. Among the sources of support noted were partner
s, family, friends, employers, hospital staff, and other parents in the sam
e situation. However, community resources appeared to be lacking, underused
, or both.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Suggestions for support include the provision of pra
ctical assistance through appropriately trained volunteers, the involvement
of a liaison person to mentor families through the initial stages of treat
ment, development of parent support groups, and the opportunity for familie
s to meet children who are successfully off treatment. Such support strateg
ies involve sensitivity to particularly vulnerable families who have limite
d support available and respectfulness of the variation in individual style
s of accessing support.