Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41153577›Full record

ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Navigating Parenting in Pediatric Oncology: Merging Psychodynamic Theory and Evidence-Based Practice.

Yael L E Ankri, Amichai Ben-Ari

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Yael L E AnkriDepartment of Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.ORCID 0000-0002-1144-2272
Amichai Ben-AriDepartment of Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.ORCID 0000-0001-5387-5183

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesParenting a child with a chronic illness such as cancer presents distinct psychological challenges that often disrupt normative parenting patterns. Parents frequently struggle to maintain boundaries in response to their child's heightened emotional needs, leading to overprotective or permissive behaviors. This study revisits Winnicott's theory of the "good enough parent" and explores its application in the context of pediatric oncology. We aim to examine how a psychodynamic framework can be integrated with evidence-based practices to support parental functioning and promote child resilience during cancer treatment.

methodsThis conceptual paper employs a qualitative, theory-driven case study approach. We analyze the case of a 6.5-year-old girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), focusing on the evolving dynamics between the child's regressive behaviors and the parents' emotional responses. Winnicott's developmental model is expanded to conceptualize parenting as a continuous balance between responsiveness and structure. Clinical dialogues illustrate the therapeutic process of guiding parents toward a more adaptive stance.

resultsThe analysis highlights how permissive parenting, driven by parental guilt and fear, may initially reduce child distress, but can inadvertently reinforce emotional dysregulation and dependency. The application of a dialectical interpretation of Winnicott's theory allowed for a therapeutic shift, supporting parents in setting empathic yet firm boundaries.

conclusionsA balanced, dialectical approach to parenting-one that integrates emotional attunement with appropriate demands-can enhance a child's psychological resilience during cancer treatment. Incorporating psychodynamic insights into clinical practice can help professionals guide families toward more adaptive, developmentally supportive caregiving strategies.

Indexed as

emotional resiliencegood-enough parentingoverprotectionparental guiltparenting stylespediatric oncologypsychodynamic theorywinnicott

Identifiers

PMID41153577
PMCPMC12563877

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.