Conducta parental: aceptación - rechazo y control parental hacia hijos diagnosticados con cáncer en Cuenca

Abstract

Parental behavior is a continuum that ranges from acceptance to rejection throughout the life-long timeline of the parent-child relationship. This behavior manifests verbally, physically, or symbolically and is used by parents to demonstrate their feelings toward their children (Rohner, Khaleque and Cournoyer, 2012). This study describes the parental behavior of parents according to acceptance, rejection, and control toward children diagnosed with cancer. This study is based on the theory IPARTheory (Rohner, Khalenque, & Cournoyer, 2005), which compares various sociodemographic factors of parents, children, and stages of treatment. This research used a quantitative approach with a descriptive and cross-sectional scope, using an adaptation of the Parent Parq / Control questionnaire by Ronher and Carrasco (2014) and a sociodemographic sheet designed to help answer our proposed objectives. We worked with 62 parents of children diagnosed with cancer who receive support from organizations or foundations in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. In the statistical analysis we ascertained that parents are perceived as emotional and controlling and that there is a low manifestation of rejection and indifference towards children with cancer. It was also found that parents are more accepting of daughters and are more aggressive with sons. In addition, this study found that mothers tend to manifest expressions of aggression and control with their sons and daughters who are in the advanced treatment phase and that the parents are more aggressive and indifferent when their children are receiving alternative treatments. It shows a high tendence to the effect and control independently sociodemographic factors sex, civil status and parent’s education levels. So too, sex, phases of treatment and type of tratment of children diagnosed with cáncer.