Patterson V, Olsavsky A, Garcia D, Sutherland-Foggio M, Vannatta K, Prussien KV, Bemis H, Compas BE, Gerhardt CA. Impact of sociodemographic factors, stress, and communication on health-related quality of life in survivors of pediatric cancer.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024;
71:e31001. [PMID:
38644596 DOI:
10.1002/pbc.31001]
[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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
While most research has largely focused on medical risks associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in survivors, sociodemographic and family factors may also play a role. Thus, we longitudinally examined sociodemographic factors and family factors associated with survivor HRQOL, including adolescent's cancer-specific stress, mother's general stress, and mother-adolescent communication.
METHODS
Mothers (N = 80) and survivors (ages 10-23, N = 50) were assessed 5 years following initial diagnosis. Mothers completed measures regarding sociodemographic background adolescent's cancer-specific stress, mother's general stress, mother-adolescent communication, and adolescent HRQOL. Survivors also reported on their own HRQOL. Two hierarchical multiple regressions examined predictors of (a) mother's report of adolescent HRQOL, and (b) survivor's self-report of HRQOL.
RESULTS
The final model predicting mother-reported adolescent HRQOL was significant, F(5,74) = 21.18, p < .001, and explained 59% of the variance in HRQoL. Significant predictors included adolescent stress (β = -.37, p < .001), mothers' stress (β = -.42, p < .001), and communication (β = .19, p = .03). The final model predicting survivor-reported HRQOL was also significant, F(5,44) = 5.16, p < .01 and explained 24% of the variance in HRQOL. Significant predictors included adolescent stress (β = -.37, p = .01) and communication (β = -.31, p = .04). Sociodemographic factors were not a significant predictor of HRQOL in any model.
CONCLUSION
Family stress and communication offer potential points of intervention to improve HRQOL of pediatric cancer survivors from mother and survivor perspectives. While additional research is needed, healthcare professionals should encourage stress management and strong mother-child communication to enhance survivors' long-term HRQOL. Such interventions may be complimentary to efforts targeting the known sociodemographic factors that often affect health.
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