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Coping with parental cancer: web‐based peer support in children
Author(s) -
Giesbers J.,
Verdonckde Leeuw I. M.,
van Zuuren F. J.,
Kleverlaan N.,
van der Linden M. H.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1636
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , peer support , peer review , psychology , social support , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , psychiatry , biology , biochemistry
Objective : To investigate the use and content of web‐based peer support in children coping with parental cancer. Methods : In children aged above 12 years, 158 forum discussions on the Dutch website www.kankerspoken.nl in a time‐period of 3 months were investigated. Age, gender, number of discussions, participation and main activities on the website were quantitatively assessed. Contents of the discussions were qualitatively analyzed. Results : In total, 129 children and 8 adults participated on the website with an average age of 15.3 years. The majority was female (80%). On average, a child was on‐line for 3 days and participated in 4 to 5 forum discussions. Main activities on the website were sharing personal experience, providing encouragement/support, providing and seeking information or advice and seeking contact outside of the website. Qualitative content analysis revealed that children regularly faced emotional problems and experienced a lack of understanding and communication in their direct environment. Conclusions : In dealing with parental cancer, children experience a variety of difficulties. This study offers a window into the use of web‐based peer support by children dealing with parental cancer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.