Sensitive listening of women-mothers caring for children with cancer about self-care.
Dociana Erica Cabral Formigosa, George Pinheiro Carvalho, Lucrecia Aline Cabral Formigosa and 5 others
PMID 41538681WHAT IT FOUND
Sixteen mothers caring for children with cancer described neglecting their own health, feeling anxious, exhausted, and financially strained.
They valued faith, family, support networks, and wanted staff to listen and offer psychological support.
Key findings
01The mothers reported putting their child's needs ahead of their own, which they linked to exhaustion and neglect of their own health care.
02Participants described intense distress, including anxiety and depression, and one participant said she had tried to kill herself after her child's diagnosis.
03Faith, family, and support networks were described as helping them cope, while participants asked for psychological support and felt some staff lacked empathy.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 16 mothers from one outpatient unit in one Brazilian city were studied, so the themes may not represent all families affected by childhood cancer. The study was qualitative and reported experiences and themes, not measured effects or tested care practices. Mothers who were illiterate, under 18, or unable to participate because of cognitive impairment or comorbidities were excluded, so some caregivers may not be represented. Data were collected in group art-based sessions, which may have shaped what mothers were willing to share about distress, family conflict, or financial problems.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that sensitive listening or nurse-led dialogue was shown to improve mothers' health. This study described their experiences and suggestions; it did not test an intervention or measure outcomes.