Research on Characteristics of Activities by Childhood Cancer Parent Group : An Analysis into the Structure and Effects of the Groups Activities

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to better understand the activities and characteristics of childhood cancer parent group. The research was conducted using the Focus Group Interviews Method. Based on organizational theory, a conceptual outline was formed and the collected date was analyzed using the Krippendorf content analysis. Interviews were conducted with 31 group directors of eight childhood cancer parent group. The results obtained were classified under the following headings: Motives, Needs, Activities, Meanings, and Effect. The results can be summarized as follow. 1) Each groups activity individually differs on individual experience and facilities that were available to them. 2) With regard to group characteristics; the need to obtain space for activities was important for many individuals for a variety of different reasons or motives. Other important activities in the group were the Doctor centered theme, and those which dealt with the Understanding of caregivers and Being pragmatic. All of the aforementioned information leads us to deduce that the Power of the group is all important.