Factors Related to Family Management Among Caregivers of Pediatric Patients with Leukemia

Abstract

Family plays a crucial role in caring for children with leukemia, as it is a chronic disease that causes changes in both physical and mental conditions. This descriptive correlational study aimed at identifying factors related to family management among caregivers of pediatric patients with leukemia and finding the relationship between the pediatric patient’s characteristics, the caregiver’s characteristics, and social support in family management among caregivers of pediatric patients with leukemia. The sample group was cared for pediatric patients diagnosed with leukemia and treated at tertiary hospitals in Northern Thailand. Eighty-five participants were recruited. The research instruments on: characteristics of caregivers and pediatric patients, social support and sources of social support, and family management. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Eta correlation coefficient.
The research findings are revealed as follows. The caregivers of pediatric patients with leukemia had a moderate level of overall family management ( =148.71, S.D.=17.74). Condition management ability was at a high level, while other dimensions of family management were at a moderate level. Factors related to family management are family income, the caregiver’s education level, and social support. Therefore, this study can be used to develop a guideline to promote more effective family management among the caregivers of pediatric patients with leukemia, to reduce the potential impact on families coping with the illness.