Promoting Parenting among Parents of Children with Cancer: Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction
The challenges associated with a pediatric cancer diagnosis affect not only the child, but also the family system, especially the parents in their parenting.1 Nurses play a fundamental role in promoting parenting by helping parents adapt to the new situation.2

Objective
Identify and describe strategies that promote parenting for parents of children with cancer.

Methods
An Integrative Literature Review was carried out according to the methodology proposed by Whittemore & Knafl.3 The research question was based on the acronym PICo; data collection was carried out in March and May 2024, using the Boolean equation [(Parents of Children with cancer) AND (Parenting OR Family support) AND (oncology nursing)], on the EBSCO virtual platform in the MEDLINE, CINAHL and MedicLatina databases and in PubMed.

Results
In the search carried out in the databases, 278 articles were identified. After reading the title, abstract and full text, 10 articles were included in the review that met the inclusion criteria. The articles revealed that the difficulties experienced by parents of children with cancer are related to a lack of information, psychosocial problems, changes in quality of life and socioeconomic problems. Strategies that promote parenting include care partnerships, clear transmission of information, use of coping strategies and support.

Conclusion
Nurses play a key role in the process of parents adapting to the diagnosis. Supporting them in promoting their parenting in these difficult circumstances minimizes the negative impact that the health-disease process has on this population.