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| Author | Bernard Micallef Cann |
| Abstract | Research showed that parents whose children suffer from acute lymphocytic leukaemia face several stresses. The main aim of this study was to explore the parental perceptions and experiences of having a child with an acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Research stated clearly that parents of children with chronic conditions pass through various stages of stress. These parents cope differently, according to the support and information that they receive. This study was conducted in Wonderland, a clinic in St Lukes Hospital, Malta A sample of eight parents having a child with an acute lymphocytic leukaemia was chosen. These parents were interviewed tentatively using a semi-structured interview, which was tape-recorded. The interviews were later transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results from this study showed that parents managed to cope with the illness using various mechanisms and different strategies. It also identified how the parents were passing through the different stages of the grieving process. In congruence with the literature retrieved prior to this study, parents recognized and explained how hard it was for them in the first few months of their child's illness. Findings from this study also highlighted that the effects of the illness on the parents were various. Parents stated to have experienced practical, social, psychological, financial and physical effects. Parents claimed that they have been given all the necessary information they asked for. This study concluded with the limitations and recommendations for research and practice. It is suggested that further larger scale studies need to be undertaken before conclusions can be generalised. |
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| Key words | Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia, Chronic Illness, Cancer, Children, Thesis, Nursing |