Effect of family-centered empowerment model on self-efficacy of children with leukemia

Childhood leukemia is the most prevalent pediatric malignancy and remains a major contributor to childhood mortality, placing multiple burdens on affected families. Family engagement, a core element of the Family-Centered Empowerment Model (FCEM), aims to strengthen caregivers’ understanding of the disease, enhance their competencies, and improve children’s quality of life and self-efficacy (SE). This study aimed to examine the impact of the FCEM on the SE of children with leukemia. A quasi-experimental design was conducted at the Pediatric Oncology Department, Oncology Center Mansoura University (OCMU), using a convenient sample of children with leukemia and their mothers. Data was collected using a structured interview questionnaire, the Family-Centered Empowerment Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed to evaluate changes in family empowerment and children’s SE. Results indicated that implementation of the FCEM was associated with significant improvements in mothers’ knowledge, family empowerment, and children’s SE, with large effect sizes observed across outcomes. However, due to the quasi-experimental design without a control group, the findings should be interpreted with caution. In conclusion, the FCEM shows potential value as a supportive intervention in pediatric oncology settings to enhance parental knowledge and promote improvements in children’s SE.