Understanding Parental Resilience in the Context of Childhood Leukemia: A Comparative Examination of Mothers and Fathers

Abstract

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, causing significant emotional, physical, and mental strain on families. This strain can affect parental resilience, which is crucial in maintaining family functioning and supporting the child’s needs during diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to examine resilience levels in parents of children with ALL, focusing on differences between mothers and fathers and exploring sociodemographic factors influencing these levels. While specific ALL subtypes were not considered, different risk levels within ALL can affect coping and resilience differently. Method: Parent resilience was assessed using the Resilience Scale for Parents of Children with Cancer. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze how factors such as parents’ age, child’s age, time since diagnosis, employment status, family size, education level, and income level predict parental resilience. Results: A total of 48 parents participated. Resilience was significantly lower in mothers compared to fathers (p < .01). Sociodemographic factors influencing resilience included the mother's age, number of children, education, and income, F(9, 38) = 66.852, p < .001, and the father's age, child's age, time since diagnosis, number of children, education, and income, F(7, 40) = 245.567, p < .001. Discussion: This study provides insight into the resilience levels of parents of children with ALL. Exploring the differences between mothers and fathers and the influencing factors can improve healthcare services and support programs. Tailored interventions, such as psychosocial support targeting lower income or lower education families, could address parental stress and improve treatment adherence for children with ALL.