BURDEN OF CARE IN PATENTS OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM HAEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES

The burden of cars experienced by the parents of children suffering from haematological malignancies was the focus of the present investigation. Two groups of children-one with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (N=23) and the other with hodgkin's disease (N=14) comprised the study sample. The key relatives of these children who also were the caregivers were assessed on a schedule of stressful life events, locus of control, burden of care, and neuroticism. In both groups, the number of stressful life events reported as well as the burden experienced by the relatives were comparable. It was observed that parents had anxiety even though the children were in a state of remission. The importance of recognising the burden experienced in the total management of child with a haematological malignancy is discussed.