Board Game for Children Coping with Cancer in Brazil: A Mixed Methods Study

Daniela Doulavince Amador; Daniela Fernanda dos Santos Alves; Myriam Aparecida Mandetta

doi:10.5294/aqui.2025.25.1.4

Authors

Daniela Doulavince Amador Author State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0641-1743
Daniela Fernanda dos Santos Alves Author State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0891-518X
Myriam Aparecida Mandetta Author Federal University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4399-2479

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5294/aqui.2025.25.1.4

Keywords:

Child, neoplasms, coping skills, play and playthings, communication

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of childhood cancer is a challenging and frightening moment for children and their families. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of using a board game on the frequency and efficacy of the coping strategies of children with cancer and learn more about the perception of the coping strategies used in the game by these children. Material and Methods: This convergent mixed method involved 35 children (aged 8-12), diagnosed with cancer for at least one month and undergoing outpatient chemotherapy treatment. The intervention used a validated board game for children with cancer. Quantitatively, a quasi-experimental study was conducted, and data collection was performed before and after the intervention using the Kidcope instrument and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitatively, participant observation and semi-structured interviews complemented Kidcope data, analyzed via content analysis. Results: The frequency and effectiveness of the coping strategies, self-assessed by the children, increased from 5.91 pre-intervention to 6.63 post-intervention; the mean effectiveness increased from 5.91 to 9.49 (p<0.001), respectively. Among the types of strategies, there was an increase in the mean use of avoidance and active coping strategies (p=0.001). When evaluating the qualitative data, the children revealed that they try to believe that everything will be fine and not think negatively since the game made them understand that not everything was lost. Conclusion: The game had a positive effect on the frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies used by children with cancer. The child’s interaction with the game helps to reframe the experience.

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