Depression and associated factors among parents of children diagnosed with cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Toxic Stress as a Potential Factor Inducing Negative Emotions in Parents of Newborns and Infants with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Parents who have a newborn with a congenital heart defect experience negative emotions, which may determine the emotional state of their children.

METHODS

The study group included 154 parents of newborns and infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease, before cardiac surgery and after the procedure. HADS m and PSS-10 questionnaires were used to assess parental anxiety, depression, aggression, and the level of stress.

RESULTS

High levels of depression, anxiety, total HADS and stress were diagnosed in a large group of parents, regardless of the stage of cardiac surgery treatment. A high level of stress was associated with a higher prevalence of emotional disturbance both in the total HADS (overall) and in all its individual domains. Anxiety and depression were more common in mothers. A high level of stress was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression in parents.

CONCLUSIONS

A high level of stress was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression in parents of infants with congenital heart disease. The parents' psychological condition is one of many potential determinants over the course of their child's treatment and recovery.

Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Parents of Children With Cancer in Ethiopia

Background: The severity of the psychological impact on parents of children with cancer, often depressive symptoms due to mild-to-severe stress, is well documented. The causes are primarily related to their child's cancer diagnosis and treatment, side effects, lack of social support, missing information about their child's disease, and understanding of how to care for their child during treatment. This study assessed predictors of depressive symptoms among parents of children with cancer in one hospital in Ethiopia. Method: The institution-based, cross-sectional design was employed. Parents (n = 126) whose child was admitted at Jimma University Medical Center between February 25 and April 25, 2020, and met inclusion criteria were invited to participate. Results: Questionnaires from 122 parents of children with cancer were included (four had missing data). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 60.7%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed gender (B = 1.207, p = .033) and higher levels of education (B = 1.019, p < .001) were associated with depressive symptoms in mothers. Receiving information about the child's treatment, however, was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (B = -1.490, p = .031). Monthly income and contact with religious leaders were not significant predictors. Discussion: Mothers of children hospitalized for initial cancer treatment in Jimma, Ethiopia, are at risk for depressive symptoms. It is possible that mothers with higher education are in occupations demanding their time, not allowing them to fulfill responsibilities felt to be essential in the child's treatment journey. Information on the child's treatment nurses have an important role in identifying depressive symptoms in parents but require training to do so.

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders of Parents of Children with Cancer

Every year in Poland there are approximately 1200 new cases of malignant tumours in children and adolescents. Leukaemia, CNS tumours, and lymphomas are the most frequently diagnosed cancers. Coping with a child’s illness is challenging, which is why many parents suffer from anxiety, depression disorders, and even PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The aim of this study is to assess the anxiety and depression levels of carers of children with cancer. Method: The study participants were 101 carers of children suffering from cancer. The study was conducted using standardized questionnaires: the Zung ccale, HADS scale, and Karnofsky scale, and three questionnaires designed by the author. Results: According to the results of the Karnofsky scale, carers’ anxiety and depression levels were negatively affected by their children’s poor performance. The younger age of children significantly correlated with the severity of depression in their parents. HADS and Zung scale anxiety levels were observed to have statistically significant effect on the severity of depressive disorders. Conclusions: Receiving a diagnosis of childhood cancer contributes to the incidence of depression and anxiety disorders among carers. Carers’ anxiety and depression levels were strongly associated with their child’s age and their child’s performance.

Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasms in Children as a Factor Inducing Negative Emotions and Toxic Stress in Parents

Parents whose children suffer from cancer experience chronic negative emotions, which may have a detrimental influence on their mental health. The aim of this study, conducted with a group of parents whose children were hospitalized for leukemia or lymphoma, was to assess stress, anxiety, depression, aggression and stress coping strategies as well as the correlations that take place between them. The study was conducted with a group of 101 parents of early school children (aged between 7 and 12) who were hospitalized for cancer in three medical centers in southern Poland. The HADS -M, PSS-10 and COPE questionnaires were used in the study. Mothers were found to experience higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress as compared to fathers. It was more common for men to resort to the strategy of substance use. Socio-demographic variables did not determine the examined emotions, the level of stress and the choice of stress coping strategies, with the exception of the strategy of suppression of competing activities. A positive relationship was found between the incidence of negative emotions and the selected strategies of coping with stress. Early diagnosis of disorders and assessment of parents' strategies of coping might help to counteract long-term consequences of trauma.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence of Depression Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Caregivers of cancer patients commonly experience depressive symptoms due to the heavy burden of caregiving responsibility.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis examined the prevalence of depression among caregivers of cancer patients.

METHODS

We included 85 studies covering 23,317 participants published between 2001 and 2021 (25 countries) that reported the prevalence of depression among caregivers of cancer patients. We examined the pooled prevalence of depression and hypothesized moderators, including year, age, sex, geographic regions, percentage of spousal caregivers, depression measures, and cancer stage.

RESULTS

All 85 effect sizes included 6,077 caregivers of patients with depression. The weighted average prevalence of depression was 25.14% (95% CI, 21.42-29.27%) among caregivers. The prevalence rates were moderated by geographic region, patients' cancer stage, and measures for depression. The prevalence rates also varied among the different measures assessing depression. The prevalence rate decreased with the mean age of the caregivers and the percentage of spousal caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a high prevalence of depression among caregivers of cancer patients. The prevalence rates also varied with the study design, demographics of caregivers, and patients' medical information. These findings highlight that psychological support and intervention may be crucial for patients and their caregivers in clinical practice.

The effect of physical and psychosocial symptoms on caregiver burden of parents of children with cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of parent's characteristics, physical and psychosocial symptoms, and child-related factors on caregiver burden of parents of children with cancer.

METHODS

This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study that included 172 parents of children with cancer. This study was performed between February and July 2019 in three major paediatric haematology and oncology units located in the centre of Turkey. Data were collected by using the descriptive information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Piper Fatigue Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Trait Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. For data analysis, average and percentage calculations and multiple linear regression analyses were used.

RESULTS

It was found that most of parents had poor sleep quality, moderate depression, fatigue, anxiety, high social support and moderate to severe caregiver burden. It was found that low education level, poor sleep quality, depression, trait anxiety, social support among the factors related to the parents, and the type of treatment and duration of the treatment from the factors related to the child had an effect on the caregiver burden. It was determined that the effective predictive factors explained 73.5% of the parents' caregiver burden.

CONCLUSION

Caregiver burden is influenced by the parent- and child-related factors. Paediatric oncology nurses should plan interventions that support parents to cope with the caregiver burden during their children's cancer experience.

Pediatric Oncology Nursing Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Exemplars from Three Regions

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the status of pediatric oncology nursing research in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as examples across three World Health Organization regions: East Africa, Eastern Mediterranean region, and Latin America.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature was identified from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scielo, Virtual Health Library, and reference lists of some articles.

CONCLUSION

The experiences of the three LMIC pediatric oncology nurses illustrate the situation of nurse research in their setting and identify relevant published literature. The authors highlight the challenges for nurses to conduct research (eg, lack of training, mentors, funding, and opportunities). Local evidence to inform nursing practice in LMICs is needed. Recommendations for ameliorating the situation include increased advanced practice nurse education, physician and hospital support, funding, and protected time.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Pediatric oncology nursing practice is culturally and context-driven and requires locally acquired evidence to support best practices. Only when sufficient, sustainable, and local nursing research training and education is available in LMICs, will this evidence be generated. Nursing research training (eg, master's and PhD programs), funding, and protected time are three key steps to guide and motivate staff nurses as well as academic nurses to participate in research that informs the care of children and adolescents with cancer across all countries and not only those with significant resources.