Exploring the process of social support among parents of children with cancer in the sociocultural context of Iran: a grounded theory study protocol.
This protocol describes a planned grounded-theory study using semi-structured interviews to examine how social support operates among parents of children with cancer in Iran's sociocultural context.
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This protocol describes a planned grounded-theory study using semi-structured interviews to examine how social support operates among parents of children with cancer in Iran's sociocultural context.
Research significance
No therapeutic effect is reported; inferentially, identifying culturally specific barriers, facilitators and patterns of parental social support could inform future supportive-care interventions intended to reduce caregiver burden and potentially improve family-centered pediatric oncology care.
Source abstract
INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cancer is increasing across all age groups including children. This disease and its costly treatment affect not only the patient but their entire family-especially parents as primary caregivers-leading to psychological distress, physical exhaustion and financial strain. Social support serves as a vital protective factor for parents facing their child's cancer diagnosis. As a complex, context-dependent phenomenon emerging from social interactions, its process requires exploration within diverse cultural settings. Thus, this study aims to explain the process of social support for parents of children with cancer in the sociocultural context of Iran. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol outlines a qualitative study using grounded theory design. Data will be collected via semi-structured interviews. Parents of children with cancer will initially be selected through purposive sampling. Subsequent participants will be recruited via theoretical sampling to fully develop emerging concepts and theory dimensions. Sampling will continue until conceptual and theoretical saturation is achieved. Data analysis will follow Corbin and Strauss's (2015) constant comparative method, using MAXQDA V.2022 software. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained under the code IR.UMSU.REC.1403.129. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before data collection. Study findings will be shared through presentations at national conferences, publication in peer-reviewed journals and dissemination of results to participating centres and interested participants.