Parenting with and beyond cancer: Occupational and co-occupational performance challenges and unmet needs

Objective: Parents living with and beyond cancer experience significant challenges from their illness and treatment which affect their ability to engage in parental roles and occupations. This study sought to provide in-depth understanding of the daily experiences of parents living with or beyond cancer. Methods: Forty-four adults living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis and parenting at least one child under the age of 18 years participated in semi-structured interviews to share their daily parenting experiences. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis identified four primary themes (1) Cancer changes participation in daily occupations for self and others; (2) Cancer changes the ways parents engage in co-occupations with their children at different developmental stages; (3) Parents worry about the impact of cancer on their children, (4) Parents want help managing the impact of cancer on themselves, their children, and their families. Conclusions: Results highlighted daily challenges parents experience beginning at diagnosis and lasting through survivorship. Across age, gender, stage, and type of cancer, parents shared similar concerns that their diagnosis and associated challenges were negatively affecting their children. Parents highlighted a significant need for information and support to facilitate parenting. Results indicate an expanded role for occupational therapy in oncology care.