Journals / Tıbbi Sosyal Hizmet Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 27

A Study on the Problems and Coping Skills of Mothers Caring for Children with Leukemia

LÖSEMİLİ ÇOCUKLARA BAKIM VEREN ANNELERİN SORUNLARI VE BAŞ ETME BECERİLERİ ÜZERİNE BİR İNCELEME

İhsan Kutlu(SAKARYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN-EDEBİYAT FAKÜLTESİ, SOSYAL HİZMET BÖLÜMÜ, SOSYAL HİZMET PR.)0000-0002-5668-3491
Fatma Sude Uzun(SAKARYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0001-0993-1800
Ömer Büber(SAKARYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SOSYAL BİLİMLER ENSTİTÜSÜ)0000-0001-9295-3789
Pages
105–128
Publication Date
2026-06-22
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Socially, it was found that roles within the family were redistributed, families became isolated from social life, and family relationships weakened.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the psychological, economic, and social challenges experienced by mothers who care for children diagnosed with leukemia.
📊
Key Findings & Data:In addition, it explores their coping strategies and proposed solutions to these challenges.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Socially, it was found that roles within the family were redistributed, families became isolated from social life, and family relationships weakened.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Başa çıkma · onkoloji · kronik hastalık

Abstract

This study examines the psychological, economic, and social challenges experienced by mothers who care for children diagnosed with leukemia. In addition, it explores their coping strategies and proposed solutions to these challenges. Method: The research data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted with 12 mothers who were the primary caregivers of children undergoing leukemia treatment. The participants’ experiences were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Findings: Within the framework of the psychological problems experienced by mothers due to their children's illness, emotional difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and stress were prominent, while economic problems were identified in relation to treatment costs, transportation expenses, and job losses. Socially, it was found that roles within the family were redistributed, families became isolated from social life, and family relationships weakened. Parents' coping strategies included spiritual support, interaction with social groups, and seeking professional help. Conclusion: The study revealed that a childhood leukemia diagnosis deeply affects mothers and significantly transforms their lives. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive social policies and interventions to strengthen psychosocial support, enhance economic assistance, and promote the social and occupational inclusion of families.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, lösemi tanısı almış çocukların bakım veren annelerinin yaşadığı psikolojik, ekonomik ve sosyal sorunlar incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, bu sorunlarla başa çıkma stratejileri ve çözüm önerileri ele alınmıştır. Yöntem: Araştırma verileri, lösemi tedavisi gören çocukların bakımını üstlenen 12 anneyle gerçekleştirilen derinlemesine görüşmeler yoluyla toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların deneyimleri, fenomenolojik yaklaşım benimsenerek analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Annelerin çocuklarının hastalığı nedeniyle yaşadıkları psikolojik sorunlar çerçevesinde kaygı, depresyon ve stres gibi duygusal zorluklar ön planda yer alırken, ekonomik sorunlar tedavi masrafları, ulaşım giderleri ve iş kayıplarıyla ilişkili olarak belirlenmiştir. Sosyal anlamda, aile içinde rollerin yeniden dağıldığı, sosyal yaşamdan izole olunduğu ve aile içi ilişkilerde zayıflamalar görüldüğü tespit edilmiştir. Ebeveynlerin başa çıkma stratejileri arasında manevi destek, sosyal gruplarla etkileşim ve profesyonel yardım alma yer almaktadır. Sonuç: Çalışma, çocukluk çağı lösemi tanısının anneleri derinden etkilediğini, annelerin yaşamlarını önemli ölçüde dönüştürdüğünü ortaya koymuştur. Bulgular, annelerin yaşadığı çok boyutlu güçlüklerin azaltılması için psikososyal destek mekanizmalarının güçlendirilmesi, ekonomik desteklerin iyileştirilmesi ve ailelerin toplumsal yaşama katılımını kolaylaştıracak politikaların geliştirilmesi gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Kutlu, İ., Uzun, F. S., Büber, Ö., Kuru, P., Doruk, E. (2026). A Study on the Problems and Coping Skills of Mothers Caring for Children with Leukemia. Tıbbi Sosyal Hizmet Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 27, 105–128. https://doi.org/10.46218/tshd.1807160

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (63)

  1. Adam, M., Rueegg, C. S., Schmidlin, K., Spoerri, A., Niggli, F., Grotzer, M., von der Weid, N. X., Egger, M., Probst-Hensch, N., Zwahlen, M., & Kuehni, C. E. (2016). Socioeconomic disparities in childhood cancer survival in Switzerland. International Journal of Cancer, 138(12), 2856–2866. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.30029
  2. Alahan, N. A., Aylaz, R., & Yetiş, G. (2015). Kronik hastalığı olan çocuğa sahip ebeveynlerin bakım verme yükü. Annals of Health Sciences Research, 4(2), 1–5. ISSN:2146-6696
  3. Alhazmi, A. A., & Kaufmann, A. (2022). Phenomenological qualitative methods applied to the analysis of cross-cultural experience in novel educational social contexts. *Frontiers in Psychology, 13*, 785134. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.785134
  4. Arslan, G., & Yıldırım, M. (2021). Meaning-based coping and spirituality during the COVID-19 pandemic: mediating effects on subjective well-being. Frontiers in psychology, 12, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.646572
  5. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  6. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide.
  7. Corr, C. A. (2020). Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and the “five stages” model in a sampling of recent American textbooks. OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying, 82(2), 294-322. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222818809
  8. Creswell, J. W. (2021). A concise introduction to mixed methods research. SAGE Publications. kitap
  9. Çaksen, H. (2024). Do parents of sick children use religious coping in Argentina? Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences, 18(2), 30–30. https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs02024182.le1
  10. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2011). The elephant in the living room: Or extending the conversation about the politics of evidence. Qualitative Research, 9(2), 139–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794108098034
  11. Duran, S., Tekir, Ö., & Kıratlı, D. (2023). Coping and psycho-social problems in mothers of children with cancer: A qualitative study in Turkey. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 45(2), 149–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317107.2023.2167059
  12. Gardie, Y., Wassie, M., Wodajo, S., Giza, M., Ayalew, M., Sewale, Y.,. & Dessie, M. T. (2023). Delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted at pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study. BMC cancer, 23(1), 469. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-10873-8
  13. Günay, U., & Özkan, M. (2019). Emotions and coping methods of Turkish parents of children with cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 37(3), 398–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2018.1555197
  14. Hınız, G., & Yavuz, A. (2023). yansıtıcı tematik analiz: bir doktora tez çalışması örneği. Eğitimde Kuram ve Uygulama, 19(2), 388-408. https://doi.org/10.17244/eku.1300330
  15. IARC. (2022). Cancer today: Childhood cancer. International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://gco.iarc.fr
  16. Işıkhan, V. (2021). Kanser ve sosyal hizmet. Ü. Aysan (Ed.), Tıbbi Sosyal Hizmet El Kitabı içinde (s. 153–179). Ankara: Grafiker Yayınları.
  17. Johns, A. L., Oland, A. A., Katz, E. R., Sahler, O. J. Z., Askins, M. A., Butler, R. W., & Dolgin, M. J. (2009). Qualitative analysis of the role of culture in coping themes of Latina and European American mothers of children with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 26(3), 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043454209334416
  18. Jorjani, G., Roshandel, G., Taherian, M. R., Mirbehbahani, N., Moaddabshoar, L., Ahmadi, A.,. & Etemad, K. (2024). Epidemiology and geographical patterns of common childhood cancers in Iran: Evidence from the National Cancer Registry. Cancer Epidemiology, 93, 10.1016/j.canep.2024.102685
  19. Kaçar Adam, D. (2021). Sosyal hizmet perspektifinden çocukluk çağı kanserlerinde sorun alanları ve müdahale becerileri. Tıbbi Sosyal Hizmet Dergisi, 17, 179–196. https://doi.org/10.46218/tshd.718067
  20. KAÇUV. (2024). Kanserli Çocuklara Umut Vakfı. https://kacuv.org/ (Erişim tarihi: 9 Aralık 2024).
  21. Kara, R., Gümüş, M., & Başbakkal, Z. (2023). Kanserli çocuğa bakım veren ebeveynlerin yaşadıkları bakım yükü ve zorluklar. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 16(2), 234–246. https://doi.org/10.46483/deuhfed.1057807
  22. Karagöz, S. (2021). Remisyon sürecindeki lösemi tanılı çocukların anne - babalarının başa çıkma süreçlerinde dinin rolü. Hitit İlahiyat Dergisi, 20(1), 681–716. https://doi.org/10.14395/hid.951355
  23. Kardaş Özdemir, F., Akgün Şahin, Z., & Küçük Alemdar, D. (2009). Kanserli çocuğu olan annelerin bakım verme yüklerinin belirlenmesi. Yeni Tıp Dergisi, 26(3), 153–158.
  24. Kocaaslan, E. N., Kostak, M. A., Semerci, R., & Çetintaş, İ. (2021). The relationship between the care burden, anxiety, and social support levels of mothers of children with cancer. Turkish Journal of Oncology, 36(3), 373–380. doi: 10.5505/tjo.2021.2607
  25. Köse, A. (2022). Sosyal güvenlik aracı olarak genel sağlık sigortasının değerlendirilmesi: 2014–2018. Journal of Social, Humanities and Administrative Sciences, 8(52), 725–732. 10.29228/JOSHAS.62496
  26. Köse, S., Türköz Arar, A., & Yıldırım, G. (2019). Kanser tanısı konmuş çocuğa sahip olan ebeveynlerin bakım yükleri ile anksiyete düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki. HEAD, 16(4), 282–287. doi:10.5222/HEAD.2019.282
  27. Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2014). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. New York NY: Simon and Schuster. kitap
  28. LÖSEV. (2024). Lösemili Çocuklar Vakfı. https://www.losev.org.tr/v6 (Erişim tarihi: 9 Aralık 2024).
  29. Lummer-Aikey, S., & Goldstein, S. (2021). Sibling adjustment to childhood chronic illness: an integrative review. Journal of Family Nursing, 27(2), 136-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/10748407209771
  30. Maykut, P., & Morehouse, R. (2002). Beginning qualitative research: A philosophical and practical guide. Routledge. ISBN 9780750702737
  31. Modanloo, S., Rohani, C., Shirinabadi Farahani, A., Vasli, P., Pourhosseingholi,. General Family Functioning as a Predictor of Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer. J Pediatr Nurs. 2019 Jan-Feb;44:e2-e8. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2018.08.013. Epub 2018 Sep 5. PMID: 30195919.
  32. Mohamed, H. S., & Mohamed, E. A. E. (2014). Stress among mothers of hospitalized children at Qena Governorate. Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal, 2(4), 186–196.
  33. Morse, J. M. (2015). Critical analysis of strategies for determining rigor in qualitative inquiry. Qualitative Health Research, 25(9), 1212–1222. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315588501
  34. Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
  35. Pargament, K. I., Murray-Swank, N. A., Magyar, G. M., & Ano, G. G. (2005). Spiritual struggle: A phenomenon of interest to psychology and religion. https://doi.org/10.1037/10859-013
  36. Patton, M. Q. (2022). Impact-driven qualitative research and evaluation. In The SAGE handbook of qualitative research design (2nd ed., pp. 1165–1180). SAGE Publications.
  37. Roulston, K. (2010). Considering quality in qualitative interviewing. Qualitative Research, 10(2), 199–224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794109356739
  38. Saraç, Y. (2022). Ölüme ve Ölmeye Dair Ölümsüz Bir Eser: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’un “Ölüm ve Ölmek Üzerine” Kitabı. Türkiye Biyoetik Dergisi. 2022; 9(3):114-119. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2985930
  39. Schneider, M. A., & Mannell, R. C. (2006). Beacon in the storm: An exploration of the spirituality and faith of parents whose children have cancer. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 29(1), 3–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/01460860500523731
  40. Spaggiari, S., Calignano, G., Montanaro, M., Zaffani, S., Cecinati, V., Maffeis, C., & Di Riso, D. (2024). Examining Coping Strategies and Their Relation with Anxiety: Implications for Children Diagnosed with Cancer or Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(1), 77. PMCID: PMC10815397 PMID: 38248541
  41. Ssenyonga N, Stiller CA, Marcos-Gragera R, Kuehni CE, Saint-Jacques N, Bulliard JL, Redaniel MT, Nakata K, Schwartz S, De P, Ragusa R, Troussard X, Curado MP, Girardi F, Maynadié M, Valkov M, Guilloteau A, Lima C, Coleman MP, Allemani C; CONCORD Working Group. Conditional survival of children, adolescents and young adults (0-24 years) diagnosed with leukaemia during 2000-2014 world-wide: (CONCORD-3). Eur J Cancer. 2025 Jul 25;225:115445. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115445. Epub 2025 May 23. PMID: 40578047.
  42. T.C. Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı. (2024). Sosyal yardım programlarımız. https://www.aile.gov.tr/sygm/programlarimiz/sosyal-yardim-programlarimiz (Erişim tarihi: 9 Aralık 2024).
  43. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. (2018). Çocuklar İçin Özel Gereksinim Raporu. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı E-Rapor Sistemi: https://erapor.saglik.gov.tr/portal/detay/cocuklar-icin-ozel-gereksinim-raporu-cozger-13 adresinden alındı
  44. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. (2021). Türkiye kanser kontrol programı. Halk Sağlığı Genel Müdürlüğü https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/depo/birimler/kanser-db/Dokumanlar/Raporlar/17.Agustos_2021_Kanser_Kontrol_Programi_versiyon-1.pdf
  45. Tan, R., Koh, S., Wong, M. E., Rui, M., & Shorey, S. (2020). Caregiver stress, coping strategies, and support needs of mothers caring for their children who are undergoing active cancer treatments. Clinical nursing research, 29(7), 460-468. https://doi.org/10.1177/1054773819888099
  46. Toros F., Tot, Ş. ve Düzovalı, Ö. (2002). Kronik Hastalığı Olan Çocuklar, Anne ve Babalarındaki Depresyon ve Anksiyete Düzeyleri. Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi. 2002;(5):240-247. https://jag.journalagent.com/kpd/pdfs/KPD_5_4_240_247.pdf
  47. U.S. Department of State. (2020). 2020 report on international religious freedom: Turkey. https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/turkey
  48. Uğurlu, Z. (2020). Pediatrik Onkoloji Hastalarının Annelerinin Bakım Yükü, Algıladıkları Sosyal Destek, Ebeveyn Yetkinliği Ve Sosyal Hizmet Gereksinimlerinin İncelenmesi: Bir Karma Yöntem Araştırması. Doktora Tezi, Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Ankara.
  49. Üstüner Top, F. (2023). Ölümcül hastalığı olan çocukların ailelerinin güçlendirilmesi. Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Dergisi, 5(2), 145–150. https://doi.org/10.48071/sbuhemsirelik.1213959
  50. Van Manen, M. (2017). But is it phenomenology? *Qualitative Health Research, 27*(6), 775–779. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732317699570
  51. Van Warmerdam, J., Zabih, V., Kurdyak, P., Sutradhar, R., Nathan, P. C., & Gupta, S. (2019). Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder in parents of children with cancer: A meta‐analysis. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 66(6), e27677.
  52. Wang, L., Yao, X., & Yang, L. (2025). Global, regional, and national burden of children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 1990 to 2021: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1525751.
  53. Wang, Y., Xu, S., Yu, H., Liang, Y., & Jia, D. (2025). Interactions among dyadic coping, self-efficacy, and negative emotions in Chinese parents of children with leukemia. BMC Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02525-2.
  54. WHO. (2025, February 4). Childhood cancer. World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer-in-children
  55. Woodgate, R. L. (2006). Life is never the same: Childhood cancer narratives. European Journal of Cancer Care, 15(1), 8–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2354.2005.00614.x
  56. World Health Organization. (2020). Global initiative for childhood cancer: An overview. Erişim adresi: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/a-future-for-children/booklet-global-initiative-for-childhood-cancer-2-november-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=3ec028f2_1#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO,live%20and%20die%20without%20suffering.
  57. Wu, Y., Deng, Y., Wei, B., Xiang, D., Hu, J., Zhao, P., Lin, S., Zheng, Y., Yao, J., Zhai, Z., Wang, S., Lou, W., Yang, S., Zhang, D., Lyu, J., & Dai, Z. (2022). Global, regional, and national childhood cancer burden, 1990–2019: An analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Journal of Advanced Research, 40, 233 - 247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2022.06.001.
  58. Yıldırım, B. (2022). Onkolojik sosyal hizmet uygulaması. Tıbbi Sosyal Hizmet, (Ed. Seda Attepe Özden & Emre Özcan). Nobel Akademik, Ankara, 215–224.kitap
  59. Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (4th ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.kitap
  60. Gardie, Y., Wassie, M., Wodajo, S., Giza, M., Ayalew, M., Sewale, Y.,. & Dessie, M. T. (2023). Delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted at pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study. BMC cancer, 23(1), 469. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-10873-8
  61. Jorjani, G., Roshandel, G., Taherian, M. R., Mirbehbahani, N., Moaddabshoar, L., Ahmadi, A.,. & Etemad, K. (2024). Epidemiology and geographical patterns of common childhood cancers in Iran: Evidence from the National Cancer Registry. Cancer Epidemiology, 93, 10.1016/j.canep.2024.102685
  62. Modanloo, S., Rohani, C., Shirinabadi Farahani, A., Vasli, P., Pourhosseingholi,. General Family Functioning as a Predictor of Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer. J Pediatr Nurs. 2019 Jan-Feb;44:e2-e8. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2018.08.013. Epub 2018 Sep 5. PMID: 30195919.
  63. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. (2018). Çocuklar İçin Özel Gereksinim Raporu. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı E-Rapor Sistemi: https://erapor.saglik.gov.tr/portal/detay/cocuklar-icin-ozel-gereksinim-raporu-cozger-13 adresinden alındı