Family Functioning and the Quality of Life of Children with Cancer: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background: In the past decade, significant advances have been made in the field of pediatric cancer treatment, leading to increased survival rates among these patients. This increase in survival has resulted in changes in the quality of life (QOL) and family functioning of these patients, necessitating new adaptations. Any new adaptation within this system requires tolerance to the pressure and distress caused by illness among family members. Objectives: There is limited literature on the experiences of families with children who have cancer in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the QOL and family functioning of children with cancer in selected medical centers in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan, Iran. The study population comprised all children with cancer admitted to oncology wards. Considering the number of children hospitalized in these wards, an available sampling method was chosen. Data were gathered using the MacMaster family assessment device and a specific QOL measure for children with cancer. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 software. Results: A total of 67 children under the age of 18 with cancer were investigated in this study. The average score of the total QOL in the studied patients was 50.22 ± 16.69. There was an inverse correlation between the scores of family function and QOL. Conclusions: Cancer can affect various aspects of a caregiver’s life, including the social, physical, and psychological aspects of the parents, and generally, the lifestyle of family members, as well as the QOL of the patient. Understanding the dimensions of the impact of cancer on individual and family life can help reduce the emotional burden of this disorder on patients.