Aspectos psicológicos de mães de crianças em tratamento oncológico

Abstract

This study aimed to identify, describe and analyse the psychological aspects of mothers of children with cancer, while experiencing the process of illness treatment and terminal. The sample consisted of six mothers (22-30 years) of children ages between 3 and 12 years, who were in cancer treatment. We used a Statement of Informed Consent (IC), a social-demographic questionnaire, the habits of family and personal and clinical data of the patient, Inventory of coping strategies by Folkman and Lazarus, a range of internal dynamics of the family and a roadmap for semi-structured interview. The first chapter provides a literature review related to the themes: family, dynamics, cancer, diagnosis, cancer treatment, and psychological impact of childhood cancer, death, grief and coping. In Chapter 2, is displayed on the actual field research, conducted with mothers of children in cancer treatment. In this chapter we used the guidelines for publication of the journal Psychology: Reflection and criticism." In general, it was realized that the way mothers experience the experience of having an infant son, strickenwith cancer, is different in each situation, considering the history of life, relationships and bonds prior to the illness and the structure for available coping resources.