Being next-of-kin to someone with cancer requiring palliative care involves a complex life situation. Changes in roles and relationships might occur and the next-of-kin thereby try to adapt by being involved in the ill person’s experiences and care even though they can feel unprepared for the care they are expected to provide. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a classic grounded theory of next-of-kin in palliative cancer care. Forty-two next-of-kin to persons with cancer in palliative phase or persons who had died from cancer were interviewed. Theoretical sampling was used during data collection. The data was analysed using classic Grounded Theory methodology to conceptualize patterns of human behaviour. Constructing stability emerged as the pattern of behaviour through which next-of-kin deal with their main concern; struggling with helplessness. This helplessness includes an involuntary waiting for the inevitable. The waiting causes sadness and frustration, which in turn increases the helplessness. The theory involves; Shielding, Acknowledging the reality, Going all in, Putting up boundaries, Asking for help, and Planning for the inescapable. These strategies can be used separately or simultaneously and they can also overlap each other. There are several conditions that may impact the theory Constructing stability, which strategies are used, and what the outcomes might be. Some conditions that emerged in this theory are time, personal finances, attitudes from extended family and friends and availability of healthcare resources. The theory shows the complexities of being next-of-kin to someone receiving palliative care, while striving to construct stability. This theory can increase healthcare professionals’ awareness of how next-of-kin struggle with helplessness and thus generates insight into how to support them in this struggle.

中文翻译：

---

构建稳定性-姑息性癌症治疗中近亲的经典扎根理论。

与需要姑息治疗的癌症患者的近亲生活复杂。角色和关系的变化可能会发生，亲属因此会尝试通过参与病人的经历和护理来适应，即使他们可能对所期望的护理没有准备。因此，本研究的目的是发展姑息性癌症治疗中近亲的经典扎实理论。采访了42名姑息性癌症患者或死于癌症的患者的近亲。在数据收集过程中使用了理论抽样。使用经典的扎根理论方法对数据进行了分析，以概念化人类行为模式。构造稳定性作为一种行为模式而出现，通过这种行为，近亲可以解决他们的主要担忧。在无助中挣扎。这种无助包括了非自愿的等待。等待会导致悲伤和沮丧，从而增加无助感。该理论涉及；屏蔽，承认现实，全力以赴，建立界限，寻求帮助以及为不可避免的事情做计划。这些策略可以单独使用，也可以同时使用，也可以相互重叠。有几种条件可能会影响“构建稳定性”理论，所使用的策略以及可能产生的结果。该理论中出现的一些条件是时间，个人理财，家人和朋友的态度以及医疗资源的可用性。该理论表明，在努力建立稳定性的同时，与接受姑息治疗的人保持近亲关系的复杂性。