Factors influencing parenting concerns in Chinese breast cancer mothers with minor children: a path analysis using a...

An increasing number of breast cancer survivors are facing parenting concerns as they manage both the physical and psychological burdens of cancer while also fulfilling maternal responsibilities. The study aims to examine the status of parenting concerns for Chinese breast cancer mothers and explore factors influencing parenting concerns, focusing on relationships between illness perception, social support, family resilience, emotional distress, and parenting concerns.

A cross-sectional study involving 217 Chinese breast cancer mothers utilized the sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, Family Resilience Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Parenting Concerns Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 26.0.

Parenting concerns (2.49 ± 0.75) showed a moderate level. Illness perception, emotional distress, and marital status positively affected parenting concerns (β = 0.159, P < 0.05; β = 0.227, P < 0.01; β = 0.233, P < 0.001). Social support, family resilience, and the age of the youngest child negatively affected parenting concerns (β =  - 0.319, P < 0.001; β =  - 0.195, P < 0.05; β =  - 0.099, P < 0.01). Illness perception indirectly affected parenting concerns via four pathways. Social support (β = 0.177, [0.091, 0.268]) and emotional distress (β = 0.142, [0.067, 0.224]) were independent partial mediators, while family resilience played a chain mediating role between illness perception and parenting concerns by integrating social support and/or emotional distress (β = 0.086, [0.020, 0.170]; β = 0.018, [0.005, 0.044]).

Intervention programs addressing these factors may alleviate parenting concerns. Health professionals should assist breast cancer mothers in enhancing social support, strengthening family resilience, managing emotional distress, and addressing negative illness perception to mitigate parenting concerns under illness-related stress.