Migrant families’ experiences of participating in the Family Talk Intervention when affected by childhood cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226X.2025.44811Keywords:
The Family Talk Intervention, migrant families, paediatric care, psychosocial supportAbstract
Background and purpose: The psychosocial needs of migrant families affected by a child’s severe illness are extensive. However, few family-centred interventions have been evaluated and even fewer have included families with migrant backgrounds. The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore migrant families’ experiences of participating in a family-centred psychosocial intervention, the Family Talk Intervention (FTI), in a paediatric care setting.
Material and methods: In this study, semi-structured interviews were performed with 14 family members (six parents, one ill child, and seven siblings) after participating in FTI. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic network analysis.
Results: After participating in FTI, the families experienced that, in their already exposed situation, their family stability had increased as they were supported in dealing with social and financial issues, encouraged to talk openly about difficulties, and thus became closer as a family. Both children and parents described the value of having someone professional, continuously available, to turn to for guidance and information.
Interpretation: Migrant families dealing with a child’s severe illness live in an exposed situation, with a double burden of distress related to the child’s illness and socioeconomic factors. By acknowledging the importance of these families’ psychosocial needs, it could be recognised that psychosocial support, such as FTI, not only aids family adjustment but also contributes to reducing this double burden, increasing family stability.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Ayoub, Malin Lövgren, Maja Holm, Camilla Udo
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