Coping Mechanisms of Filipino Parents with Children Diagnosed with Leukemia: A Case Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Leukemia, though proven to be curable, still poses a serious problem for the country as the number of patients steadily increases every year. To address this concern, a number of studies were conducted to analyze not just the physical but also the psychological effects of diagnosis on patients. However, data are still lacking on the effects of this illness on parents of the patients, especially on how parents cope with the imminent distress brought about by the situation. The study aimed to explore the coping behaviors of parents of leukemia patients towards their children's illness and to determine the factors that affect the distress of these parents.

Methodology: The coping mechanisms of Filipino parents of leukemia patients and the factors that contribute further to their distress were investigated. A case study was conducted involving six parents from the Leukemia Indigent Fund Endowment in the Lung Center of the Philippines who qualified under the inclusion criteria set in the study. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Their responses were recorded, transcribed, and assessed through thematic analysis.

Results and Conclusions: The major coping mechanisms gathered were: Denial, Acquiring Social Support, and Faith. The nature of their coping mechanisms greatly depends on factors that induced their distress after diagnosis of their child. On one hand, for those whose distress was provoked by their knowledge that leukemia is fatal, their immediate coping mechanism was total denial followed by social support from other parents of leukemia patients. On the other hand, for those whose distress was prompted by the financial constraints that come along with the illness, while there is denial, the major coping mechanism was acquiring social support in terms of financial needs. Only after having these immediate actions that they become open to emotional and moral support, together with other coping mechanisms such as having faith, repression of other activities, being optimistic or being passive.