DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/J36F-X209
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8182-0497
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
R. K. Elswick
Second Advisor
Suzanne Ameringer
Third Advisor
Nancy Jallo
Fourth Advisor
Tracye Profitt
Fifth Advisor
Lisa Schwartz
Abstract
This study’s purpose was to better understand health care transition (HCT) readiness in parents of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of pediatric cancers. Aims included assessing feasibility and acceptability of studying HCT readiness in this parent population, identifying factors that predict HCT readiness in survivors’ parents, performing exploratory factor analysis on the Transition Readiness Inventory- parent version (TRI-P), qualitatively exploring parents’ experiences around HCT, and integrating the quantitative and qualitative findings for a richer understanding of parental HCT readiness. Participants, recruited through social media, completed an electronic quantitative survey and, afterwards, indicated their willingness to participate in semi-structured virtual interviews. Integration of findings took place during interpretation. Twenty-two parents completed the survey. While feasibility was not confirmed, acceptability was. Small sample size precluded factor analysis. Stepwise regression yielded a model including parental perceived stress and AYA age as predictive factors for HCT readiness in the sample. Twelve parents participated in semi-structured interviews, and conventional content analysis produced several themes: uncertainty related to HCT, parent roles during treatment, parent-AYA roles now/future, relationships with providers, and survivors’ mental health challenges. Integrating the results found that most themes aligned with TRI-P subscales, while survivors’ mental health challenges were not reflected in the TRI-P. While findings were somewhat aligned with those of studies in other parent groups, nuances seen in parents of AYA survivors of pediatric cancer may warrant more attention. Further study, with a larger, less homogeneous sample, could illuminate opportunities for potential interventions for parents of AYA survivors.
Rights
© Jennifer Ellison
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-6-2025