Children With Advanced Cancer: Responses to a Spiritual Quality of Life Interview

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to describe the responses of children with advanced cancer to a spiritual quality of life (SQL) interview. DESIGN AND METHODS. Sixty children, ages 6-17, responded to an SQL interview every 2 weeks, for 5 months. The questionnaires were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS. Children's responses were primarily relational in nature, particularly to their parents. Seventy-eight percent of the interviewees reported they did something to "feel close to God." Children prayed for a "sense of normalcy" (59%) and relational concerns (31%). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Children's care will be enhanced when given the opportunity to express their spiritual and relational concerns.