Rhythmanalysis of care: Daily practices among informal caregivers of children with cancer

Xuelian Li, Yang Yang, Fangjuan Du, Wei Li and Hanyan Wu

Social Science & Medicine, 2025, vol. 366, issue C

Abstract: An increasing number of people face the challenge of providing long-term, unpaid, informal care to children with cancer. The repetitive and staged processes of treatment create inherently rhythmic care practices, imposing a strict schedule on caregivers' daily routines. To explore the rhythmic nature of pediatric cancer informal care, we discuss the rhythms of daily life during intensive chemotherapy and maintenance therapy, and negotiated strategies of caring practice. We draw upon Lefebvre's rhythmanalysis and activity diary, and conduct semi-structured interviews with informal caregivers. We demonstrate the scale, stage, and dynamic nature of the daily life rhythm of caregivers of children with cancer, which is characterized by linear “alienation,” arrhythmia, and “metastable” harmony. Structured therapeutic rhythms do not have overwhelming power; rhythms are intervened through insertion, negotiated adjustment, recharging, and alliances to maintain eurhythmia in caregivers of children with cancer. This study provides specific insights into the care of children with cancer in the context of the relationship between time, space, energy, and rhythm, which may help provide support to caregivers and reduce their burden of care.

Keywords: Children with cancer; Daily life practices; Caregivers; Rhythmanalysis; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117681

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