Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Adult Health Nursing, Cancer Prevention Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Psychosomatic Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Pediatric and Neonates, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The mental health of the mothers of the children with cancer is strongly influenced
by the child’s illness and treatment process. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a self‑help
educational program with peer group on anxiety of the mothers of the children with cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial study was conducted on 44 mothers of the children
with cancer in an educational Hospital of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Convenience
sampling method was performed on the eligible mothers, and using random allocation, they were
divided into two groups of the intervention (n = 22) and the control (n = 22). Both groups completed
the Hamilton Anxiety Questionnaire before and after the intervention. The intervention of the study
was a self‑help educational program with peer group that was performed in collaboration with the
mothers of the children with cancer, a psychiatrist, and cancer nurses in the hospital within 3 months.
RESULTS: The results showed that 55% of the mothers of the intervention group had severe and
very severe anxiety before the intervention, but the intensity of their anxiety was reported to be
moderate after the intervention. The analysis of covariance with adjusted anxiety score in the two
groups showed that the mean score of anxiety in the intervention group decreased from 22.3 to 12.3
after the intervention, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The program, designed to support the mothers and guide the specialists and
psychiatrists to counsel the mothers, can enhance their self‑help and reduce their anxiety level.
Keywords
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