Table 2

Sources of stress, conditions decreasing stress and coping strategies among parents of children with cancer

Themes	Subthemes/codes
Sources of stress	a. Parents’ understanding of cancer
	b. Child health related
	Acquiring the disease at an early age Fear of cancer relapse Fear of treatment side effects Clinical manifestations of the child	Having a child with a severe/lifelong illness Worsening of illness
	c. Health facility related
	Waiting time before starting treatment Long hospital stays Unavailability of chemotherapy drugs	Referral to TASH Receiving inadequate information
	d. Social/financial support related
	Lack of social support Financial problems Disruption/cessation of child’s schooling	Effects of peer influence Parents’ working conditions
	e. Witnessing others’ bad experiences
Conditions decreasing stress	a. Child treatment related
	Experiencing side effects less than anticipated Hope for a positive treatment outcome	Knowledge about treatment side effects Starting treatment
	b. Hospital related
	Perceived good care Counselling from health providers	Trust in health providers Short distance to hospital
	c. Social related
	Financial support Discussions with other parents Receiving care for children at home	Witnessing positive outcomes for other children Social support
Coping strategies	Praying Discussions with other people/parents Crying	Accepting the child’s condition (ie, doing nothing) Denial