Nursing theory as a guide into uncharted waters: Research with parents of children undergoing cancer treatment

Being a parental caregiver for a child who is undergoing cancer treatment profoundly impacts significant numbers of parental caregivers and their well-being. This article focuses on the use of theory, philosophy, and empirical knowledge in guiding research designed to both describe and explain influences on well-being of parental caregivers of children undergoing cancer treatment. Other aspects of the research are discussed as well, including practice-relevant findings. Findings indicated the co-existence of both positive and negative well-being and that each has unique predictors. Self-transcendence mediated the relationship between resilience and well-being in parental caregivers. Clinical implications for these findings are also presented.