Peer Support Perspectives of Parents of Adolescents with Cancer in Pediatrics

Parents of adolescents with cancer (AWC) provide critical support throughout the cancer journey and could offer key insights into support needs. This prospective study aimed to obtain parent perspectives on peer support needs of AWC. Ten individual parents (9 mothers and 1 father) completed a survey and a semistructured interview. Four themes were identified: cancer journey challenges; emotions, reactions, and coping; personal support preferences; and AWC's support needs. Parents recognized that AWC require various support, but lacked insight into their specific peer support desires. Next step interventions should focus on peer support for AWC, while also incorporating peer support for parents.