Paper

Coping with parental cancer: web-based peer support in children

  1. J. Giesbers1,
  2. I. M. Verdonck-de Leeuw2,
  3. F. J. van Zuuren3,
  4. N. Kleverlaan4 and
  5. M. H. van der Linden5,6,*

Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1002/pon.1636

Issue

Psycho‐Oncology

Psycho-Oncology

Volume 19, Issue 8, pages 887–892, August 2010


Additional Information

How to Cite

Giesbers, J., Verdonck-de Leeuw, I. M., van Zuuren, F. J., Kleverlaan, N. and van der Linden, M. H. (2010), Coping with parental cancer: web-based peer support in children. Psycho-Oncology, 19: 887–892. doi: 10.1002/pon.1636

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  2. 2

    Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  3. 3

    Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  4. 4

    Center for Psychosocial Care, Alkmaar, The Netherlands

  5. 5

    Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  6. 6

    Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

*Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 JUL 2010
  2. Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 20 AUG 2009
  4. Manuscript Revised: 19 AUG 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 24 JAN 2009

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Keywords:

  • parental cancer;
  • psychosocial oncology;
  • children;
  • adolescents;
  • online support

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the use and content of web-based peer support in children coping with parental cancer.

Methods: In children aged above 12 years, 158 forum discussions on the Dutch website www.kankerspoken.nl in a time-period of 3 months were investigated. Age, gender, number of discussions, participation and main activities on the website were quantitatively assessed. Contents of the discussions were qualitatively analyzed.

Results: In total, 129 children and 8 adults participated on the website with an average age of 15.3 years. The majority was female (80%). On average, a child was on-line for 3 days and participated in 4 to 5 forum discussions. Main activities on the website were sharing personal experience, providing encouragement/support, providing and seeking information or advice and seeking contact outside of the website. Qualitative content analysis revealed that children regularly faced emotional problems and experienced a lack of understanding and communication in their direct environment.

Conclusions: In dealing with parental cancer, children experience a variety of difficulties. This study offers a window into the use of web-based peer support by children dealing with parental cancer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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