Effect of a Family-Centered Empowerment Model–Based Intervention on the Caregiving Capacity and Preparedness of Caregivers of Children With Malignant Neoplasms: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study

TL;DR

This study tests a family-centered empowerment model to improve caregivers' ability to care for children with cancer and their mental well-being.

Contribution

The study introduces a new family-centered empowerment model intervention tailored for caregivers of children with malignant neoplasms.

Findings

The intervention is expected to improve caregiving preparedness and capacity.

Psychological outcomes like depression, anxiety, and stress may improve in caregivers.

Results could support structured family empowerment programs in pediatric oncology.

Abstract

Malignant neoplasms are among the most common causes of disease-related death in children. Long-term chemotherapy often requires a high degree of parental involvement. Family caregivers’ preparedness and capacity are critical in reducing the burden of care and improving quality of life. This study looks to examine the impact of a family-centered empowerment model (FCEM)–based intervention on the caregiving capacity and preparedness of family caregivers.

This study aims to develop and evaluate an FCEM-based intervention to improve caregiving preparedness and capacity among family caregivers of children with malignant neoplasms. It also examines the potential effects of the intervention on self-efficacy and psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and stress.

This quasi-experimental study focuses on caregivers of children with malignant neoplasms attending our hospital for the first time, implementing a 4-phase FCEM-based intervention program evaluated through questionnaires administered 3 days after admission and 3 days before discharge. Differences in caregiving preparedness, caregiving capacity, self-efficacy, and depression, anxiety, and stress scores will be assessed using independent and paired t tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and paired rank-sum tests for both within-group and between-group comparisons preintervention and postintervention.

Recruitment will be conducted in 2 waves (control group: July to December 2025; intervention group: July to December 2026). It is expected that the intervention group will show significantly greater improvements in caregiving preparedness, caregiving capacity, and psychological well-being compared to the control group.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence for the development of structured family empowerment in pediatric oncology. In the future, expanding to multiple centers and conducting targeted surveys among caregivers of children with different cancer types would help validate and promote the effectiveness of family empowerment interventions.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06810388; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06810388

PRR1-10.2196/73304

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