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Abstract

Limited research has been conducted regarding the father's relationship with the chronically ill child, particularly the child with cancer. How fathers cope with their child's illness and treatment is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe uncertainty and consequential coping patterns in fathers of children with cancer. The sample for this descriptive study was obtained from a computerized, nonalphabetized list of children currently undergoing treatment. The fathers were sent a packet of information that contained a letter introducing the study, a demographic data sheet, Mishel's Parent Perception of Uncertainty Scale, and the Jalowiec Coping Scale. Thirty-one of 150 eligible fathers completed the study. The age of the father, the age of the child, and the length of time since diagnosis showed direct correlation to patemal uncertainty and coping. Fathers used coping styles described as evasive, optimistic, and emotive.

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Uncertainty and Coping in Fathers of Children with Cancer

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