Exploring the psychological impact of supporting a parent with cancer on adult children of South Asian heritage living in the UK

An increasing number of people are affected by cancer and require care in the community. A large part of this care is provided by relatives, yet research has found that people are not prepared for the role and the psychological impact that it has on them. Caring for a parent with cancer is becoming a more common role taken on by adult children, and due to the nature of the relationship, this has a significant impact on the caregiver’s mental health. However, the impact of this role has not yet been explored in a South Asian population in the UK. To address this gap in the literature, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants who volunteered to take part. The sample was purposive and participants were recruited through charity organisations around the Leeds and Bradford area. A reflexive thematic analysis approach was taken to analyse the data. From the results, it has been found that elements of South Asian culture e.g., expectations around caregiving and family values can worsen the already significant psychological impact of caring for a parent with cancer. Untimely care from GP’s and difficulties accessing support exacerbates this. Primary care services, mental health services and other support services therefore need to work towards improving accessibility and adapting approaches to better reach and support this community.