The lived experience of childhood cancer: one sibling's perspective

The demands of cancer on children and their parents have been studied and understood for many years now. However, very little focus has been placed on one other very important part of the family system--the siblings. In the health care profession today, there is a growing awareness that the psychosocial needs of siblings of children with cancer are less adequately met than those of other family members. Research suggests that siblings are particularly vulnerable to adjustment difficulties (depression, anger, anxiety, feelings of guilt, and social isolation), and they experience similar stress to that of the ill child Siblings have been identified as the most emotionally neglected and unhappy of all family members during serious childhood illnesses. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the lived experience of one 14-year-old sibling's experience with childhood cancer. Through the qualitative research process of phenomenology, the researcher gained a greater understanding of the participant's experience and how the childhood cancer experiences affected her and her family. Themes that emerged through the process of content analysis included emotional intensity, increased empathy for others, personal growth, need for support, and desire to help others.