Assignment Task
Introduction
Getting a first-time notification of cancer in a young child can be explained as a primary life hindrance that alters development and elicits a range of changes within the child and the family system (Patterson et al. 2004). Research on the subject, including the study of Egan et al. (2020), shows the process through which New Zealand parents of children with cancer are enlightened on shifts in their child’s therapy and identified information delivery methods influences stress-coping-and-adaptation processes and family functioning. Building on these findings, Egan and colleagues expand the emphasis on the family’s requirements and vulnerabilities and present the significance of multidimensional support for families struggling with a child’s cancer. Yet, the social and emotional consequences of such a diagnosis that affect the family have seldom been explored. It is within this context that this research seeks to close the identified gap by assessing the various processes and transitions families with a child diagnosed with a single childhood cancer go through (Blackmore et al., 2020). The goals include identifying changes in the family when a child has cancer, and assessing the emotional, social, and functional aspects in families where a child has cancer (Berrett-Abebe et al., 2017). The quantitative study carried out by Blackmore et al. (2020) revealed more worrying trends related to family cohesion and functioning than the cross-sectional qualitative one conducted by Berrett-Abebe et al. (2017), who described profound psychological and social effects on families. By so doing, this study seeks to establish ways of formulating a passable support structure for such families.
For this research, I will use a qualitative research approach that involves photo voice and semi structure interviews with the family and the child with cancer and semi structure interviews with professionals offering support to the child with cancer. The
reasoning behind this approach is I will be able to inform myself about the various states that families go through the lens of qualitative research (Auburn et al., 2021). It will assist me in articulating the dynamics that prevail in families and identify the difficulties that they encounter. This kind of understanding could further be used in developing a support model to also cope with the challenges families face.
The remainder of this proposal includes several key sections: Research Motivation, Research Proposal, Aims / Objective Statement /overriding Questions, Gap Analysis, Proposals for Bridging the Gaps, Finally Researched Phases, Literature Review, Types of Families, Effect of Various Family Structures on Family Health, Support Structures, Other Aspects, and lastly Findings and Conclusion. Every section will elaborate on aspects of the project, from the background and research motivation to Methodology, Family Characteristics and functioning, Health Consequences and Health Support System. This systematic review presents the view of various hindrances experienced by families when a child has been diagnosed with cancer, highlights ways, and means of producing better strategies to support such families.
Research Phases
The research will be conducted in two phases, addressing the gaps identified:
Child with cancer, Siblings/parents/caregivers/guardians.
Main Question
How much does the cancer diagnosis in one young family member affect the well-being and dynamics of the entire family?
Sub-Questions
What do the psychological and emotional consequences of the child’s cancer diagnosis look like for families in New Zealand?
How do such effects become visible in terms of family relationships?
