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Peterson RK, Chung J, Barrera M. Emotional symptoms and family functioning in caregivers of children with newly diagnosed leukemia/lymphomas and solid tumors: Short-term changes and related demographic factors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020; 67:e28059. [PMID: 31724323 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric oncology diagnoses are distressing to caregivers. However, researchers have not investigated the impact that the type of cancer diagnosis has on caregiver anxiety, depression, distress, and family functioning. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally investigate the early trajectory of caregiver psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, distress, and family functioning near diagnosis and 6 months later by cancer type, and to examine the demographic factors that may be associated with caregiver emotional and family functioning outcomes. METHODS Caregivers (n = 122) of children with a recent diagnosis of leukemia/lymphoma or solid tumor completed self-report measures of psychological and family functioning (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Distress Thermometer, and Family Environment Scale). RESULTS In general, caregivers endorsed elevated psychological symptoms at the time of diagnosis, which decreased 6 months later. Caregivers of children with solid tumors endorsed greater anxiety across time than caregivers of children with leukemia/lymphoma did. In addition to caring for a child with a solid tumor, female sex, non-White ethnicity, and non-English language spoken in the home were factors associated with anxious and depressive symptoms and poorer family functioning. CONCLUSION When creating psychosocial interventions for families of children with cancer, the unique demands of solid tumor treatments, the caregiver's sex, and cultural characteristics must be considered to promote coping, resiliency, and problem-solving skills around the time of diagnosis, particularly in more vulnerable families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Peterson
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanna Chung
- Department of Psychology, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maru Barrera
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Tan R, Koh S, Wong ME, Rui M, Shorey S. Caregiver Stress, Coping Strategies, and Support Needs of Mothers Caring for their Children Who Are Undergoing Active Cancer Treatments. Clin Nurs Res 2019; 29:460-468. [DOI: 10.1177/1054773819888099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of childhood cancer not only affects the life of the child but also impacts the lives of the caregivers as well. This study aims to explore the caregiving stress, coping strategies, and support needs of mothers caring for children/adolescents with cancer during the active treatment phase. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, and two authors independently and thematically analyzed data. Caregiving mothers went through a process of emotional changes and a change in lifestyles when their children were diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatments. It is important to ensure that caregiving mothers of children/adolescents with cancer are well supported by family, friends, and healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals can develop informational booklets on cancer treatment protocols and work together with mothers. Parent support groups and plans for psychoeducational and spiritual care programs for mothers as forms of informational and emotional support may also be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Tan
- Blood Services Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Serena Koh
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Min En Wong
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ma Rui
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - Shefaly Shorey
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
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Gunter MD, Duke G. Social Support to Reduce Uncertainty in Childhood Cancer in South Texas: A Case Study. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2019; 36:207-218. [PMID: 30929543 DOI: 10.1177/1043454219835450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine if supportive measures are found to be most helpful and feasible for families of children with cancer by obtaining in-depth perspectives of uncertainty and adaptation. HYPOTHESES Traditional methods of psychosocial support do not meet the needs of parents and families dealing with cancer. Participants prefer more informal meetings and gatherings that are more social in nature. METHOD A descriptive single embedded case study was used to study uncertainty and social support for families with children treated at a pediatric hematology/oncology department in south Texas. The sample included members of the health care team in a pediatric cancer/bone marrow transplant unit and parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Data were gathered through audio-recorded interviews. DATA ANALYSIS Data were transcribed and analyzed through thematic content and pattern matching using computer software. RESULTS Four themes were identified: meaning of uncertainty in parents and members of the health care team, facilitators of parental adaptation, education and psychosocial support, and patient/family obstacles hindering successful adaptation. These demonstrated aspects of care interventions, clarifying what uncertainty means and how it affects the ability of parents to adapt to life with pediatric cancer, perceptions regarding the helpfulness of education and support interventions or lack thereof, and what internal and external obstacles hinder the family's adaptation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Improving patient education through individualization and delivery time frame as well as providing opportunities for informal sharing and community building are key to reducing uncertainty and improving family adaptation to life with childhood cancer.
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Lavi I, Fladeboe K, King K, Kawamura J, Friedman D, Compas B, Breiger D, Gurtovenko K, Lengua L, Katz LF. Stress and marital adjustment in families of children with cancer. Psychooncology 2018; 27:1244-1250. [PMID: 29405486 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pediatric cancer is highly stressful for parents. The current prospective study examines the impact of several stressors (financial strain, life threat, treatment intensity, treatment-related events, and negative life events) on the trajectory of marital adjustment across the first year following diagnosis. We examined whether average level of stressors across the year was related to (1) levels of marital adjustment at the end of the first year of treatment and () the rate of change in marital adjustment. METHOD One hundred and thirty families of children newly diagnosed with cancer (M age = 6.33 years, SD = 3.61) participated. Primary caregivers provided 12 monthly reports on marital adjustment and stressors. RESULTS Multilevel models indicated that although marital adjustment was stable across the first year on average, random effect estimates suggested that this was the result of differing trajectories between families (eg, some increasing and others decreasing). Five individual stress constructs and a cumulative stress composite were then used to predict this variability. Higher average economic strain was related to consistently poorer marital adjustment across time. Higher average frequency of treatment-related events and negative life events were associated with decreasing adjustment over time and lower adjustment at the end of the first year of treatment. Perception of life threat and treatment intensity were not associated with final levels or trajectory of adjustment. Finally, higher cumulative stress was associated with consistently poorer marital adjustment across time. CONCLUSION Implications for identification of at-risk families are discussed, and importance of delivering tailored interventions for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Lavi
- The Center for Research and Study of the Family, School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kaitlyn Fladeboe
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kevin King
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Debra Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bruce Compas
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Kyrill Gurtovenko
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Liliana Lengua
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Tolson A, Lowrie D, Chand A, Marsh J. Occupational disruption among people with haematological cancer during treatment isolation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THERAPY AND REHABILITATION 2017. [DOI: 10.12968/ijtr.2017.24.9.394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Tolson
- Occupational therapist, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Daniel Lowrie
- Lecturer in occupational therapy, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alisha Chand
- Occupational therapist, The Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jodie Marsh
- Nurse practitioner candidate haematology and bone marrow transplant, The Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Neu M, Matthews E, King NA. Exploring sleep-wake experiences of mothers during maintenance therapy for their child's acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Pediatr Nurs 2014; 29:410-21. [PMID: 24486174 PMCID: PMC4096069 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A qualitative study was designed to explore sleep-wake experience of mothers of children in maintenance treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants using open-ended, semi-structured questions and were transcribed verbatim. Two main themes emerged: "It's a whole new cancer world" and "I don't remember what it's like to have sleep." Mothers experience difficulty sleeping during their children's treatment, and expressed several serious issues. Although the mothers were able to employ various mechanisms to address sleep deprivation and disruption, interventions such as social support, journaling, spiritual guidance, and/or self-talk may be most beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalynn Neu
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing, Aurora, CO.
| | - Ellyn Matthews
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing, Aurora, CO
| | - Nancy A King
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, CO
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Masa'Deh R, Collier J, Hall C, Alhalaiqa F. Predictors of stress of parents of a child with cancer: a Jordanian perspective. Glob J Health Sci 2013; 5:81-99. [PMID: 24171877 PMCID: PMC4776841 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v5n6p81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most paediatric oncology studies agree that being parents of a child with cancer is an emotionally stressful event. Although an increasing number of studies have investigated psychological stress of parents of a child with cancer, few of these studies have included both parents or investigated the predictors of high stress levels for the mothers and the fathers. Moreover, studies published over the last few decades were limited to Western countries and have shown inconsistent findings about parental perceived stress whose children have cancer. This study explored differences in predictors of perceived stress between Jordanian mothers and fathers of children with cancer. METHODS This study involved a survey of 300 couples parenting a child with cancer. Participants answered the Arabic version of the Perceived Stress Scale 10-items, demographic and characteristics check list questionnaires. The main aims were to measure perceived stress levels for mothers and fathers, explore the predictors associated with high perceived stress levels and make a comparison between them. FINDINGS Mothers reported significantly higher stress levels than fathers (p<0.001), with a large effect size (0.30). Some of the factors associated with mothers and fathers high stress levels affected both parents whereas employment status affected only fathers' stress levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate the need to work with the mothers and the fathers with a child with cancer in Jordan to recognise their psychological needs at the time of diagnosis and followed by on-going psychological support for both parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Masa'Deh
- Assistant Professor at the Applied Science Private University/School of Nursing.
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Sullivan R, Kowalczyk JR, Agarwal B, Ladenstein R, Fitzgerald E, Barr R, Steliarova-Foucher E, Magrath I, Howard SC, Kruger M, Valsecchi MG, Biondi A, Grundy P, Smith MA, Adamson P, Vassal G, Pritchard-Jones K. New policies to address the global burden of childhood cancers. Lancet Oncol 2013; 14:e125-35. [PMID: 23434339 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(13)70007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Childhood cancer is a major global health issue. Every year, almost 100 000 children die from cancer before the age of 15 years, more than 90% of them in resource-limited countries. Here, we review the key policy issues for the delivery of better care, research, and education of professionals and patients. We present a key list of time-limited proposals focusing on change to health systems and research and development. These include sector and system reforms to make care affordable to all, policies to promote growth of civil society around both cancer and Millennium Development Goals, major improvements to public health services (particularly the introduction of national cancer plans), improved career development, and increased remuneration of specialist health-care workers and government support for childhood cancer registries. Research and development proposals focus on sustainable funding, the establishment of more research networks, and clinical research specifically targeted at the needs of low-income and middle-income countries. Finally, we present proposals to address the need for clinical trial innovation, the complex dichotomy of regulations, and the threats to the availability of data for childhood cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, King's Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre, London, UK.
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Bruce E, Sundin K. Experience of support for parents of adolescents with heart defects--supported to be supportive. J Pediatr Nurs 2012; 27:366-74. [PMID: 22703684 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2011.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to illuminate the meanings of the lived experience of support for parents of adolescents with heart defects. Narrative interviews were conducted with four mothers and two fathers of adolescents with heart defects. Interviews were interpreted using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method. The interpretation revealed that parents, themselves, attempt to be very supportive. They support their adolescent children, the rest of their families, the staffs of their children's schools, and others around their children. The sense of gratification and contentment that parents receive from fulfilling supportive functions is, in turn, influenced by the support that they, themselves, receive from care providers.
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Snow A, Gilbertson K. The complexity of cancer in multiple family members: dynamics of social work collaboration. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE 2011; 50:411-423. [PMID: 21774584 DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2011.579693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This article presents a case study of one family affected by a cancer diagnosis in both the father and the daughter, who were diagnosed within the same time interval and who underwent treatment at the same time. The article examines the relationship between the caregivers and the oncology patient as well as with one another when the stress of diagnosis is compounded by multiple, simultaneous, and similar diagnoses in a highly condensed period of time. A thorough examination of the literature reveals that there are significant gaps regarding how multiple cancer diagnoses in one family affect the family dynamic, individual and collective coping styles, and caregiver burden. The diagnoses can also dramatically exacerbate economic stressors in a family. The coordination of psychosocial care from the perspectives of the adult and pediatric oncology social workers at an urban academic medical center will be discussed. The social work role, importance of collaboration, and family centered care perspective will be discussed as a method of easing the treatment experience for families in psychosocial distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Snow
- Beth Israel Medical Center, Cancer Center, New York, New York 10003, USA.
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Stern M, Krivoy E, Foster RH, Bitsko M, Toren A, Ben-Arush M. Psychosocial functioning and career decision-making in Israeli adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 55:708-13. [PMID: 20589658 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined how dispositional optimism, health vulnerability, and time perspective were related to adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors' career decision-making (CDM) and quality of life (QOL). Secondarily, how cultural factors relate to CDM and QOL among Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Arab cancer survivors was explored. METHODS Fifty-one cancer survivors (68.6% females, 80.4% Israeli-Jewish, 19.6% Israeli-Arab, M(age) = 21.45 years), at least 6 months post-active treatment (M(time) = 5.75 years) completed self-report questionnaires. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses indicated that optimism, vulnerability, and past negative, present fatalistic, and future time perspective were significantly associated with QOL (F(6, 47) = 6.80, P < 0.001) and CDM (F(6, 47) = 2.46, P < 0.04). Perceived vulnerability explained the main portion of QOL variance with greater vulnerability associated with lowered QOL (beta = 0.33, P < 0.001). Optimism was positively associated with QOL (beta = 0.55, P < 0.02). Greater present fatalistic time perspective was associated with greater CDM difficulties (beta = 0.32, P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses indicated greater past negative time perceptions (F(1, 46) = 8.92, P < 0.005) and fatalism about the future (F(1, 46) = 5.90, P < 0.02) among Israeli-Arabs as compared to Israeli-Jewish survivors. Israeli-Jewish survivors were more optimistic than Israeli-Arab survivors (F(1, 46) = 3.48, P < 0.065). CONCLUSIONS Vulnerability, optimism, and time perspective were significantly associated with QOL and CDM among Israeli AYA cancer survivors. Israeli-Arabs viewed their pasts and futures more negatively and reported lower optimism than Israeli-Jews. Implications for future research and interventions were considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Stern
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, USA.
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