Date of Graduation

Spring 2020

Degree

Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development

Department

Early Childhood and Family Development

Committee Chair

Joanna Cemore Brigden

Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer is oftentimes a stressful experience for individuals other than the patient, such as parents and siblings of pediatric oncology patients. Parents and siblings may be impacted in many ways, but there are interventions to help. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand parents’ lived experiences of having a child who has attended a camp designed for siblings of pediatric oncology patients. Parents (n=5) of siblings that have attended camp for siblings were interviewed with open-ended questions. Data was analyzed using phenomenology procedures. Results from this study indicated that mothers and fathers of siblings saw camp as a positive experience. Parents described the reasons for sending their child to camp, how they perceived their child to experience camp, and how they viewed camp to affect their child. The results of this study can be used by helping professionals, parents, and camp staff.

Keywords

siblings, camp, pediatrics, cancer, oncology, parents

Subject Categories

Oncology | Pediatrics | Psychology

Copyright

© Kristen Lauren Krueger

Open Access

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