Improving Quality of Life in Children with Cancer through Family-Based Interventions

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by Shandong University in Jinan, People's Republic of China, explored the interrelationships between parental burnout, sibling relationship quality, and quality of life in children with cancer. The study used a cross-sectional design and enrolled 218 children with cancer and their parents in three tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province. The results showed that social functioning in children with cancer was positively associated with warmth in sibling relationship quality and negatively associated with personal achievement and depersonalization in parental burnout. Emotional functioning was negatively associated with emotional exhaustion in parental burnout and jealousy in sibling relationship quality. The findings suggest that family-based interventions can improve the quality of life of children with cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to explore the interrelationships between parental burnout, sibling relationship quality, and quality of life in children with cancer from family-based perspectives.
  • The research found that social functioning in children with cancer was positively associated with warmth in sibling relationship quality and negatively associated with personal achievement and depersonalization in parental burnout.
  • Emotional functioning in children with cancer was negatively associated with emotional exhaustion in parental burnout and jealousy in sibling relationship quality.
  • The study used a cross-sectional design and enrolled 218 children with cancer and their parents in three tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province.
  • The results suggest that family-based interventions can improve the quality of life of children with cancer.
  • Parents and healthcare professionals can focus on improving the quality of life of children with cancer by addressing parental burnout, sibling relationship quality, and social and emotional functioning.

Statistics:

  • 218 children with cancer were enrolled in the study.
  • The study used convenience sampling and enrolled children and their parents in three tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province.
  • Social functioning in children with cancer was positively associated with warmth in sibling relationship quality (r = 1.03).
  • Emotional functioning in children with cancer was negatively associated with emotional exhaustion in parental burnout (r = -0.10).
  • Jealousy in sibling relationship quality was negatively associated with emotional functioning in children with cancer (r = -0.10).
  • The study found that family-based interventions can improve the quality of life of children with cancer.

Sources:

  • Asia-pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2025;12:100709.
  • How to improve quality of life in children with cancer from family-based perspectives? Insights from network analysis.
  • NewsRx, Shandong University Reports Findings in Cancer (How to improve quality of life in children with cancer from family-based perspectives? Insights from network analysis). Pediatrics Week. June 28, 2025; p 460.