Abstract

ALMICO, Thatianne  and  FARO, André. Coping of caregivers of children with cancer in chemoterapy process. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2014, vol.15, n.3, pp.723-737. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/14psd150313.

The study aimed to characterize the coping process of chemotherapy in children’s caregivers, and also, identify the main coping strategies. Participated 11 caregivers of children undergoing chemotherapy attended in support houses for children with cancer in the city of Aracaju (Sergipe, Brazil). At the method an open interview guide was used, based on the main theme: Coping (of the children and of the caregiver). The interviews were transcribed fully and was analyzed by the IRAMUTEQ program, through which obtained lexical classes that, when clustered, revealed the coping strategies deployed by the caregivers. The results revealed the following strategies: Effort and Dedication in care (54.6%), Religiosity as a Source of Comfort and Security to deal with Illness (31.8%) and the Impact on Day to Day Care and the Medicalization of Suffering (13.6%). It was noticed also that the suffering resultant from the overload of care can hamper coping, producing adjustment’s means associated to denial and resignation in which caregivers give up everything to take care of the sick child. However, despite the wear of the situation, also found positive attitudes of the caregivers front of the management of chemotherapy, such as adjusting to the situation, trying to preserve family integrity and rely on religious faith to cope with the effects of treatment. Considering the family as an essential source of coping for the child, especially the primary caregiver, it was confirmed that they also need to be accompanied and assisted.

Keywords : Coping behavior; Chemotherapy; Caregiver; Child cancer.

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