Abstract
Much has been written on guiding children through trauma and life crises. Most sources focus on trauma such as violence, abuse, terminal illness or death, experienced by the children themselves. However, little has been published about a parent’s illness, especially the effects of a mother having breast cancer on her children. This research starts off by investigating the high prevalence of breast cancer in South Africa. Based on this evidence, it was argued that many families are affected, and it seems that little care, in terms of support, is given to the children of women with breast cancer. The aim of this research study was to analyse and describe the experiences and the meaning three children made whose mother was being treated with breast cancer. In the literature review, social constructionism, narrative therapy, and generally used approaches to supporting children during their parents’ illnesses were scrutinized. Thereafter, the research paradigm and design applicable to this study were examined. The emphasis was on the qualitative research paradigm, the exploratory case study design, the purposeful sample, as well as the methods used for data collection and data analysis. The data gathered during the research (therapeutic sessions with the three children), were analysed and documented. Each child’s data analysis started with a description of the child, after which a visual illustration of the analysis process and their experiences and meaning-making were discussed. According to the findings of this study, children explore their experiences and meaning-making freely in a narrative therapy approach. The experiences and the meanings they made, were unique and very different from each other. Developmental age and language usage played a role in their expression and sharing of meaning. Consequently, it would not be possible to use predetermined therapeutic ‘recipes’ or impose expert meaning onto children, since this would hinder the unique process of meaning-making and re-authoring.
Prof. J. Byrne