Together and Apart: A Gender-Informed Qualitative Analysis of Childhood Brain Tumour and the Parental Relationship

This study aims to investigate the gendered impact of childhood cancer on the parental relationship, specifically on the work of parenting together.

Parents/carers of a child diagnosed with a brain tumour and receiving care within a statewide hospital and health service in Australia were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews about their associated experiences. Data were collected from February 2021 to December 2022. Interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Twenty-four parents/carers representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and brain tumour experiences were interviewed (mothers: n = 22). All parents in a relationship (n = 19) discussed the impact of their child's tumour on their relationship with their co-parent. Gendered patterns were identified in coping styles and family roles; some participants described these as a source of struggle. Mothers were more often reported as doing 'emotion work' for their family; fathers were more often reported engaging in 'emotion-avoidant' coping strategies. Parents consistently spoke of the need to be 'together' in the experience of their child's cancer, though this was rarely elaborated upon.

Future research and clinical guidance must apply a gendered lens to highlight the ways that mothers are made responsible for the emotional wellbeing of others and support more equitable divisions for this responsibility, including ensuring fathers receive supportive care outside of the parental relationship amid childhood cancer.