Adult-Child Caregivers’ Family Communication Experiences after an Older Parent’s Blood Cancer Diagnosis: A Survey Exploring Their Openness, Avoidance, and Social Support
Author:
Wright Kevin B.1, Bylund Carma L.2, Vasquez Taylor S.3, Mullis M. Devyn2, Sae-Hau Maria4ORCID, Weiss Elisa S.4, Bagautdinova Diliara3, Fisher Carla L.2ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA 2. Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA 3. Department of Advertising, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA 4. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rye Brook, NY 10573, USA
Abstract
Adult-child caregivers of an aging parent living with a blood cancer describe struggling to communicate with one another and within the family system. They may avoid critical care conversations, which may impede care and their ability to receive social support. We examined what approaches adult-child caregivers of a parent diagnosed with a blood cancer use to enhance their family communication, the topics they find most challenging to discuss, and the roles of openness and support. We used qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyze data from a larger online survey study. In partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we recruited 121 adult-child caregivers. Responses to one open-ended item were analyzed to capture strategies used to enhance communication with their parent and family. They reported utilizing digital communication modalities, prioritizing frequent communication, engaging in openness, establishing boundaries, kinkeeping, and enacting support. Within the quantitative data, we further explored two of these themes (openness and support) and their relationships to other variables using t-tests and regression analysis. Adult-child caregivers and diagnosed parents avoid talking about mortality and negative feelings. Openness in the family about cancer was linked to caregivers’ perceptions of receiving social support. Findings demonstrate that cultivating openness between midlife adult children and diagnosed parents may enhance opportunities to receive support.
Funder
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Carolan Research Institute
Subject
Cancer Research,Oncology
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