Experiences and Needs of African American Children and Adolescents in Supportive Care Roles for a Relative With Breast Cancer

• Published in: Oncology nursing forum Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 165 - 176
• Main Authors: Lally, Robin M, Hydeman, Jennifer, Brooks, Catherine, Akter, Halima, Yoerg, Megan T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oncology Nursing Society 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; African Americans; African Americans - psychology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Child; Children & youth; Content analysis; Families & family life; Family - psychology; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Interviews; Male; Medical diagnosis; Middle Aged; Minority & ethnic groups; Mortality; Needs Assessment; New England; Nursing; Psychology, Adolescent; Psychology, Child; Qualitative Research; Social aspects; Social Support; Teenagers; Womens health; Young Adult; Young adults; New England; United States > US; African Americans; breast cancer; family caregivers; parental cancer; adolescents
• ISSN: 0190-535X; 1538-0688
• DOI: 10.1188/20.ONF.165-176

To explore the experiences and needs of African American (AA) children and adolescents who were identified by a cancer survivor in their family as providing substantial supportive care during diagnosis and treatment. 5 AA young adults who provided care and support to a family member with cancer when they were aged 7-19 years and 4 cancer survivors from a northeastern U.S. city. Focus groups and interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis until thematic saturation was reached. Themes focused on AA young supporters' lack of cancer-related information, reduced ability to communicate needs, and challenged views of themselves, relationships, faith, and the future at the time that they provided support. Nurses can support AA children and adolescents in caregiving roles by assessing their needs and providing information on diagnosis and treatment. In addition, nurses can conduct research on culturally adapted interventions that can better support AA children and adolescents caring for a parent or grandparent with cancer.