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Davis KA, Mazzenga M, Hall PB, Buchbinder D, Alderfer MA, Oberoi AR, Sharkey CM, Blakey AO, Long KA. Development of a blueprint for sibling psychosocial services: A nationwide study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30993. [PMID: 38605546 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Siblings of youth with cancer have heightened risk for poor long-term psychosocial outcomes. Although sibling psychosocial care is a standard in pediatric oncology, this standard is among those least likely to be met. To address barriers to providing sibling services, a blueprint for systematic psychosocial screening and support of siblings was developed based on feedback from a national sample of psychosocial providers. PROCEDURE Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of psychosocial care providers (N = 27) of various disciplines working in US pediatric cancer centers, varied in size, type, and extent of sibling support. Interviews queried providers' suggestions for the future of sibling psychosocial care and impressions of a blueprint for sibling service delivery, which was iteratively refined based on respondents' feedback. Interviews were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. RESULTS Based on existing literature and refined according to providers' recommendations, the Sibling Services Blueprint was developed to provide a comprehensive guide for systematizing sibling psychosocial care. The blueprint content includes: (i) a timeline for repeated sibling screening and assessment; (ii) a stepped model of psychosocial support; (iii) strategies for circumventing barriers to sibling care; and (iv) recommendations for how centers with varying resources might accomplish sibling-focused care. The blueprint is available online, allowing providers to easily access and individualize the content. Providers indicated enthusiasm and high potential utility and usability of the blueprint. CONCLUSIONS The Sibling Services Blueprint may be a useful tool for systematizing sibling psychosocial care, promoting wider availability of sibling-focused services, and addressing siblings' unmet needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Davis
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcella Mazzenga
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Phoebe Brosnan Hall
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Buchbinder
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California, USA
| | - Melissa A Alderfer
- Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anjali R Oberoi
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christina M Sharkey
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Columbia, Washington, USA
| | - Ariel O Blakey
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristin A Long
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Rosenblatt A, Pederson R, Davis-Sandfoss T, Irwin L, Mitsos R, Manworren R. Child life specialist services, practice, and utilization across health care: a scoping review. JBI Evid Synth 2024; 22:1303-1328. [PMID: 38720647 DOI: 10.11124/jbies-23-00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to map the available evidence regarding the scope of child life specialist services, practice, and utilization. INTRODUCTION The concept of child life services began in 1922 and emerged as the child life specialist services specialty in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Child life specialists are members of multidisciplinary health care system teams who prioritize the developmental needs of pediatric patients to support and improve patient and family health care experiences. Evidence of the effectiveness of child life specialist services and the utilization of those services is often incorporated in multidisciplinary research reports and thus overlooked. INCLUSION CRITERIA All quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research study reports and systematic reviews investigating child life specialist services, practice, and utilization in health care systems were included. METHODS This review was guided by the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and a published a priori protocol. CINAHL (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and PsycINFO (APA) were searched for evidence published from January 1980 to August 2022. RESULTS Research publications about child life specialist services, practice, and utilization have increased dramatically over the past decade, with more than 50% of studies published in the past 5 years. Although the first authors of the majority of the research publications were physicians, these multidisciplinary author teams depicted child life specialist services in a variety of roles, including co-investigators, interventionists, and research subjects. The 105 full-text publications reviewed were from 9 countries, plus 1 publication that surveyed people across Europe. The contexts spanned a wide scope of clinical settings and medical subspecialties, but primarily in hospitals and health centers, and to a lesser extent, in ambulatory clinics and communities. A wide variety of child life specialist services were described across these settings. CONCLUSION Mapping the research can help delineate the barriers and facilitators to child life specialist services in health care systems. This scoping review provides evidence of the global diffusion of child life specialist services across health care system settings, with recent increases in research publications involving child life specialist services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Rosenblatt
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA
- Lurie Children's Pediatric Research and Evidence Synthesis Center (PRESCIISE): A JBI Affiliated Group, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Renee Pederson
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tyler Davis-Sandfoss
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lauren Irwin
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca Mitsos
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Renee Manworren
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Lurie Children's Pediatric Research and Evidence Synthesis Center (PRESCIISE): A JBI Affiliated Group, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Shao Y, Li WHC, Zhou R, Cheung AT. The Effects of Psychological Interventions on Fostering Resilience in Family Members of Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Cancer Nurs 2024:00002820-990000000-00265. [PMID: 38941110 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000001368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interventions to foster resilience may promote mental health recovery after exposure to stressors. However, comprehensive systematic syntheses of such evidence in family members of pediatric cancer patients are lacking. OBJECTIVE To systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence for the effects of psychological interventions at fostering resilience in family members of pediatric cancer patients. METHODS PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and 9 other databases were searched for articles published until March 2023. Empirical studies on psychological interventions to improve resilience in family members of pediatric cancer patients were included. Full-text and quality appraisals were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included, of which 10 were included in the meta-analyses. There was a positive effect of interventions on resilience at postintervention time points, but no effects on depressive symptoms, stress, or well-being. The improvement in resilience was sustained in the short term (≤3 months) and medium term (>3 to ≤6 months), with delayed effects on depressive symptoms and stress. In the 6 studies that reported moderate effect sizes, the interventions comprised problem-solving skills, cognitive strategies, promotion of personal strength, and social resources. CONCLUSION The findings indicated that psychological interventions targeting resilience have the potential to positively affect the resilience and mental health outcomes of family members, particularly parents. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Psychological interventions targeting resilience hold promise in improving the mental health of family members. Future interventions should clearly specify the characteristics of the intervention, such as mode of delivery, format, and duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Shao
- Author Affiliations: The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Ms Shao, Dr Li, and Dr Cheung); and School of Nursing, the Hangzhou Normal University (Ms Zhou), China
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Semerci R, Savaş EH, Gürbüz EG, Başegen N, Erkul M, Alki K, Uysalol EP. The Effect of Psychosocial Support Videos Provided by the Community on Disease Attitudes and Symptoms of Pediatric Oncology Patients: Randomized Controlled Study. Semin Oncol Nurs 2024; 40:151570. [PMID: 38161096 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the impact of psychosocial support videos provided by the community on the attitudes of pediatric oncology patients aged between 10 and 18 years toward their illness and treatment-related symptoms. DATA SOURCES This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted with 52 pediatric oncology patients aged between 10 and 18. The data were collected using the Information Form, Child Attitude Towards Illness Scale (CATIS), and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). When the control group received standard care, the intervention group received psychosocial support videos provided by the community at the beginning of the week for 1 month. CONCLUSION This study suggests that the implemented intervention positively affected pediatric patients' symptom management, psychological well-being, and attitudes toward their illness. Considering that today's adolescents have grown up in the age of technology and show great interest in technology and media use, it is clear that psychosocial support videos may attract the attention of this age group. Producing and sharing similar content for other children with similar health problems may positively affect the psychosocial health outcomes of pediatric patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE It has been found that it is beneficial to include community-supported psychosocial support in the nursing care of pediatric oncology patients. For this reason, it is recommended that nurses actively participate in developing psychosocial support strategies and take the lead in creating and making the content accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remziye Semerci
- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
| | | | - Ezgi Gizem Gürbüz
- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Nazlı Başegen
- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Münevver Erkul
- Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Science, Akdeniz Bilim University, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Kübra Alki
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Başakşehir Çam and Sakura State Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ezgi Paslı Uysalol
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Başakşehir Çam and Sakura State Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye
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Wawrzynski SE, Cloyes KG, Arasteh K, Guo JW, Linder L, Reblin M, Alderfer MA. Online Experiences, Internet-Fostered Connection, Resilience, and Adjustment Among Adolescent Siblings of Children With Cancer. Cancer Nurs 2023:00002820-990000000-00172. [PMID: 37862436 PMCID: PMC11031615 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric cancer disrupts the lives of siblings in many ways, including physical separations from family and friends that increase risk for distress. Research suggests that siblings use technology and social media to connect with friends and family and seek social support and interaction. However, this may expose siblings to negative online experiences that can erode self-esteem, reducing resilience. OBJECTIVE This study explored the relationship between online experiences, internet-fostered connection, resilience, and psychosocial health among siblings of children with cancer. METHODS Participants included adolescent siblings (N = 81; aged 12-17 years) of children with cancer. Most were female (56.8%), and 50.6% represented racially or ethnically minoritized groups. Online experiences, social media use, resilience, and psychosocial health were self-reported and analyzed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS A majority of siblings reported moderate to severe posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) (59%) and elevated emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs) (53%). Experiencing more positive online experiences was associated with greater perceived connection to family and friends online, but not resilience, PTSSs, or EBDs. In contrast, higher negative online experience scores were significantly associated with more PTSSs and EBDs. In addition, the association between negative online experiences and EBDs was significantly mediated by a negative association between negative online experiences and resilience. CONCLUSIONS Although social media may be a valuable tool for helping siblings of children with cancer garner social support, negative online experiences may be detrimental to their adjustment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Efforts should be made to preserve and foster resilience among siblings who use social media for support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Wawrzynski
- Author Affiliations: Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware (Drs Wawrzynski, Alderfer and Arasteh); Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Alderfer); College of Nursing, University of Utah (Drs Guo and Linder); and Primary Children's Hospital, Intermountain Health (Dr Linder); and Cancer Control and Population Sciences Research Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (Dr Linder), Salt Lake City; College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington (Dr Reblin); and School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland (Dr Cloyes)
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Wawrzynski SE, Alderfer MA, Waters AR, Linder L, Reblin M, Guo JW, Litchman M, Cloyes KG. Technology-Mediated Support Among Siblings of Children with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2023; 12:685-691. [PMID: 36787472 PMCID: PMC10611953 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2022.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: A diagnosis of pediatric cancer can leave healthy siblings with limited access to support. Technology-mediated interpersonal interactions have been noted among adolescent and young adults with cancer and may be an effective source of support for adolescent siblings of children with cancer. In this study, we understand how adolescent siblings use technology to connect with their support network and how their technology use changes after their sibling's cancer diagnosis. Methods: Participants included a national sample (N = 24) of adolescents aged 12-17 who had a sibling diagnosed with cancer in the last 2 years (up to 3 years if still receiving curative-focused treatment). Ecomaps were cocreated with participants to identify sources of social support and modality of interactions. Interviews were transcribed, coded, content analyzed, and descriptively summarized. Results: Adolescent siblings (mean = 14.2 years) perceived technology as a tool to maintain support from their established personal network, rather than a way to expand sources of social support. Most did not seek support or information about cancer outside their known network, preferring information to come from parents or trusted network members. Siblings identified video calls as an important resource for connecting with parents, their sick brother or sister, and others to receive emotional support and companionship. Conclusions: Findings suggest that adolescent siblings of children use technology to connect with their established network for support, an important finding for designing assessments and interventions for this population. Future inquiry should explore these differences, identify unmet needs, and inform acceptable, effective interventions to augment support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Wawrzynski
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Primary Children's Hospital, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Melissa A. Alderfer
- Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Austin R. Waters
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences Research Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute-University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Lauri Linder
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Primary Children's Hospital, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences Research Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute-University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Maija Reblin
- College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Jia-Wen Guo
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Kristin G. Cloyes
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Alderfer MA, Amaro CM, Kripalani S, Taggi Pinto A, Lewis AM, Arasteh K, Hildenbrand AK, Lown EA, Long KA. Trajectories of Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Siblings of Children With Cancer: The First Two Years Post-Diagnosis. J Pediatr Psychol 2023; 48:688-699. [PMID: 37354552 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identify and describe trajectories of cancer-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among siblings of children with cancer within two years of diagnosis. METHOD Siblings (aged 8-18; M = 11.2 years) across the United States, and for each, one caregiver, were recruited for a cohort sequential longitudinal study with three data collection points six months apart beginning at 6- or 12-months after cancer diagnosis. Siblings (N = 229; 42% of eligible/approached; 53% identifying as female; 68% identifying as non-Hispanic White) completed the Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale. Caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and growth mixture modeling (GMM) identified PTSS patterns across time. RESULTS Fit statistics supported models with three to five PTSS trajectories. The three-class LCGA model included a large mild PTSS group (61%), a moderate PTSS group (35%), and a small (4%) stable severe PTSS group. The four-class LCGA and three- and four-class GMM included groups improving from moderate to mild PTSS (7-21%) and worsening to moderate PTSS across time (12-17%). Across models, siblings with mild PTSS had fewer caregiver-reported emotional and behavioral difficulties on the SDQ. CONCLUSIONS A large group of siblings of children with cancer demonstrate resiliency, however, substantial subsets experience patterns of PTSS that include levels in the moderate-to-severe range during the first two years post-diagnosis. Future research should examine these patterns in more diverse/representative samples and identify factors associated with increasing and sustained severe PTSS to inform intervention targets and reduce cancer-related burden on families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Alderfer
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christina M Amaro
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Simran Kripalani
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alison Taggi Pinto
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Amanda M Lewis
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Kamyar Arasteh
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Aimee K Hildenbrand
- The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E Anne Lown
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kristin A Long
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Davis KA, Brosnan P, Mazzenga M, Buchbinder D, Alderfer MA, Sharkey CM, Long KA. Inconsistent, uncoordinated, and reactive: The current state of sibling psychosocial care. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30103. [PMID: 36385588 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although providing sibling psychosocial services is a standard of care in pediatric oncology, initial survey research suggests that this standard is rarely achieved and siblings' support needs remain unmet. Which sibling psychosocial services are available and how centers provide such services is unknown. To identify targetable services gaps, this qualitative study characterizes current sibling psychosocial care practices at select pediatric cancer centers across the United States. PROCEDURE Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of psychosocial care providers (N = 27) working across the United States in pediatric oncology centers of varied sizes. Interviews queried providers regarding sibling-focused parent psychoeducation, psychosocial screening, comprehensive assessment, and psychosocial support offerings. Interview data were analyzed using Applied Thematic Analysis. RESULTS Across cancer centers, sibling care practices did not align with consensus-based recommendations. The nature and availability of sibling-focused psychoeducation, screening, assessment, and support were variable between and within centers. Siblings themselves were largely absent from sibling psychosocial care, and care was rarely sibling-specific. The flow of information about siblings was discontinuous and uncoordinated across the care continuum, resulting in psychosocial care provided reactively, typically in response to parental concerns. CONCLUSIONS Sibling psychosocial care provision falls short of established care recommendations, leaving sibling psychosocial needs unmet. Findings highlight the need for tools and strategies to facilitate the implementation of sibling psychosocial care across the care continuum, to support siblings' psychosocial functioning across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Davis
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Phoebe Brosnan
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcella Mazzenga
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Buchbinder
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California, USA
| | - Melissa A Alderfer
- Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christina M Sharkey
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kristin A Long
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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The Social Networks and Social Support of Siblings of Children with Cancer. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9010113. [PMID: 35053738 PMCID: PMC8774421 DOI: 10.3390/children9010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Siblings of children with cancer need support to ameliorate the challenges they encounter; however, little is known about what types and sources of support exist for siblings. This study addresses this gap in our understanding of the social networks and sources of support for adolescents with a brother or sister who has cancer. Additionally, we describe how the support siblings receive addresses what they feel are the hardest aspects of being a sibling of a child with cancer. During semi-structured interviews, siblings (ages 12–17) constructed ecomaps describing their support networks. Data were coded for support type (emotional, instrumental, informational, validation, companionship) and support provider (e.g., mother, teacher, friend). Network characteristics and patterns of support were explored. Support network size ranged from 3 to 10 individuals (M = 6 ± 1.9); siblings most frequently reported mothers as sources of support (n = 22, 91.7%), followed by fathers (n = 19, 79.2%), close friends (n = 19, 79.2%) and siblings (with or without cancer) (n = 17, 70.8%). Friends and brothers or sisters most often provided validation and companionship while instrumental and informational supports came from parents. This study provides foundational knowledge about siblings’ support networks, which can be utilized to design interventions that improve support for siblings of children with cancer.
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