Perceptions of Jordanian children with cancer regarding concealing the true nature of their diagnosis: An interpretive phenomenological analysis study

Abstract

An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was used to explore and document the experiences of children diagnosed with cancer regarding the true nature of their diagnosis in the first three months after diagnosis. Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with fourteen children diagnosed with cancer and three major themes emerged during data analysis: (1) Surrounded by silence, (2) Confusing the silence, and (3) Try to make sense of the silence. During the journey to diagnosis most participants reported that people around them conceal the true nature of their illness. Participants were left to their own to make sense of the silence that was surrounding them. This created an unintentional division between the participants, their parents and health team members. This also deprived the participants of important sources of support and compromised their emotional and psychosocial well- being. Jordanian parents and health team members need to follow other countries lead and declare the diagnosis of cancer to children in order to effectively prepare them for the challenges they face to cope with their illness.