The Experience of Therapeutic Support Groups by Siblings of Children with Cancer

Margaretha Nolbris, PhDc, MSc, RN; Jonas Abrahamsson, MD, PhD; Anna-Lena Hellström, PhD, RN; Lisa Olofsson, MSc, RN; Karin Enskär, PhD, RN

Disclosures

Pediatr Nurs. 2010;36(6):298-304.

Implications for Nursing Practice and Future Research

A therapeutic support group for siblings of children with cancer should be included in the care of the family and be offered several times during and after the treatment to help siblings through their brother's or sister's childhood cancer. A support group for siblings can make it easier for them to deal with and understand their feelings. Support groups can also be used in other situations when there is a seriously ill child in the family. More intervention studies will need to be conducted in the future to help siblings talk about their experiences.

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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to give their sincere thanks to the siblings who participated in the study by sharing their stories and experiences. The study was funded by the Children's Cancer Foundation, Solstickan Foundation in Sweden, SU-Foundation, and Ebba Danelius Foundation.

Statement of Disclosure
The authors reported no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this continuing nursing education article.

Cite this: The Experience of Therapeutic Support Groups by Siblings of Children with Cancer - Medscape - Nov 01, 2010.

Abstract and Introduction
Background
Method
Results
Implications for Nursing Practice and Future Research
References

Table 1. Presentation of the Participants and the Sick/Deceased Children or Adolescents
Participant (Group Number)	Sibling's Gender and Age at Interview (Years)	Age of Sick Brother or Sister (Years)	Time from Diagnosis to Interview (Years)	Diagnosis	Time since Death (Years)
1 (1)	M 13	18	4.2	Colon cancer	1.2
2 (1)	M 18	13	3.4	Lymphoma	2.0
3 (1)	F 18	22	5.2	ALL, BMT	2.1
4 (1)	F 19	19	11.7	ALL	2.11
5 (1)	M 14	21	4.2	ALL	3.4
6 (1)	F 11	21	4.2	ALL	3.4
7 (2)	F 13	10	1.2	Ewings-sarcoma
8 (2)	M 12	14	1.6	PNET, medulloblastoma
9 (2)	F 19	15	0.5	Lymphoma
10 (3)	F 10	3	0.9	Neuroblastoma
11 (3)	M 8	3	0.9	Neuroblastoma
12 (4)	F 15	9	0.8	ALL, BMT
13 (4)	F 12	9	0.8	ALL, BMT
14 (4)	F 11	4	0.7	AML
15 (4)	F 9	4	0.7	AML

Note: ALL = acute lymphoblastic leukemia; BMT = bone marrow transplantation; AML = acute myeloid leukemia; PNET = primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

Table 2. Evaluation Questions
What has the group given you? What have you given the group? How did you feel about having a leader direct the group? Do you think the moderator conducted the meetings well? How did you feel about writing down your expectations? How did it feel to present another participant in the group? How did it feel to show a picture of your sibling? What was it like to choose a picture from more than a 100 to capture a feeling or an experience? How did you like painting with watercolors? How did you feel when you were asked if there was anything from the last meeting that you would like to talk more about? How did you like talking about your experiences after each group interview? Did you miss anything? Is there something you want to add? Do you have any questions?

Table 3. Categories and Subcategories
Category	Subcategory
Belonging to a group	Talking about your situation.
	It helped to hear what others were feeling.
	Recognizing yourself in what others were saying.
	Finding the inner strength to carry on.
Important as a member of the group	Getting to know each other.
	Allowed to talk or remain quiet.
	It was an advantage that the group members were of different ages.
Therapeutic support helped siblings recall and understand their memories
	The tools used gave a form to the feeling and brought back memories.
	It was good to end the meetings with closure.
	It was good to continue the discussions from the previous meeting.

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