IMPACT OF CARING FOR A CHILD WITH CANCER : PREDICTING FACTORS AFFECTING THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFE BEHAVIORS OF THE MOTHER

Abstract

Purpose: To prevent mothers of children with cancer from developing health problems and suggest effective ways to maintain their health, it is important to accurately determine the problems they face. The aim of this study was to examine the physical health problems and healthy lifestyle behaviors of mothers whose children have cancer. Material and Methods: This methodological, descriptive, and correlational study. The study interviewed 150 mothers whose children were receiving treatment for cancer using three forms: Sociodemographic Information Form, Mothers' Physical Health Form, and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II. Independent samples t -test and single way variance analysis (ANOVA) tests were conducted to measure the relations between the variables. Results: Mothers' age, number of children with cancer, age of child, educational status, income level and marital status were significantly correlated with the survey variables. A model created based on the regression analysis of the relationship among the variables showed that sociodemographic characteristics affected 24.2% of the healthy lifestyle behavior of mothers of children with cancer. Conclusion: Our results showed that physical activity and stress management received the lowest health lifestyle behavior scores. The current findings emphasize the importance of informing mothers about stress management and physical activities during the care of their children with cancer.