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Feng S, Zhang L, Lin J, Sun RW, Wang RN, Qu HF, Fang BX, Wang JN, Yao P. The mediating effect of positive expectations in the relationship between social support and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among parents of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 176:198-204. [PMID: 38878647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Parents of children with cancer are exposed to risks of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but few studies have explored PTSD symptoms of Chinese parents of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our study aimed to examine the association between social support and PTSD symptoms and to examine the mediating effect of positive expectations in this relationship among parents of children with ALL. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted of consecutive parents of children with ALL in the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. A total of 177 parents eligible for this study completed questionnaires on PTSD symptoms, perceived social support, optimism and general self-efficacy anonymously. Asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to examine how positive expectations mediated the association between perceived social support and PTSD symptoms. RESULTS Mean score of PTSD symptoms was 37.64 ± 14.44; 29.4% of the sample scored 44 and above, 19.8% scored 50 and above. After adjusting for covariates, perceived social support was negatively associated with the total score of PTSD symptoms (β = -0.209, p < 0.01). Positive expectations were found to mediate the relationship between perceived social support and PTSD symptoms, especially for the symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. CONCLUSIONS Optimism and general self-efficacy fully mediated the association between perceived social support and PTSD symptoms. Therefore, social support and positive expectations should be included in PTSD preventions and treatments targeting Chinese parents of children with ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Feng
- Department of Health Management, Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36, Sanhao, Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Medical Humanities, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, China.
| | - Jia Lin
- Department of Oncology, Shenyang Yongsen Hospital of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.108, Shenbei West Road, Yuhong District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110148, China.
| | - Ruo-Wen Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Ru-Nan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Hang-Fei Qu
- Department of Nursing, Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Bo-Xuan Fang
- Department of CMS, Double major in Statistics and Economics, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Canada.
| | - Jia-Na Wang
- School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, No.818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Pin Yao
- Department of Health Management, Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36, Sanhao, Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
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Wang HQ, Lin H, Liu B. Research progress on the psychological burden and intervention measures in cancer patients. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1408762. [PMID: 38938456 PMCID: PMC11208330 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1408762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past 40 years, the gradually increasing incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumors have severely impacted the quality of life of patients, bringing significant physical and psychological burdens and becoming an increasingly serious social issue. With the development of medical standards, new methods for cancer detection and treatment have been continuously proposed. Although it has been proven that cancer is related to increased psychological burden and suicidal behaviors in patients, current research on the psychological burden caused by cancer is insufficient. Clinicians often overlook the psychological health issues of patients while treating their physical diseases. Considering the high incidence of cancer, this review will outline the psychological burdens of cancer patients worldwide in recent years and its high-risk factors. Moreover, this review will summarize the common methods for evaluating psychological burdens, present current predictive models and treatment methods for the psychological burden of cancer patients, aiming to provide a research basis and future direction for the timely and accurate assessment of the psychological burden in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Tan X, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Cai R, Chen J, Meng J, He X, Huang J, Zhang J, Wang W, Zhao J, Shi L. Internet-Based Self-Help Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention for Parents of Children With Cancer: A Pilot Study. West J Nurs Res 2023; 45:1111-1119. [PMID: 37905502 DOI: 10.1177/01939459231206316] [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] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents of children with cancer may experience persistent psychological distress and impaired physical health throughout their children's diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a mindful self-compassion program for parents of children with cancer and explore its effect. METHODS This pre-post-test study without a control group was conducted with 34 Chinese parents of children with cancer, using mixed methods. Participants received a 6-week internet-based self-help mindful self-compassion intervention. Self-compassion, post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, and sleep quality were measured at baseline and at 10 weeks post-baseline. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 completers within 10 days after the intervention was completed. RESULTS Significant differences were observed in self-compassion, re-experiencing, physical depressive symptoms, and sleep quality. Two participants reported feeling miserable or recalling distressing experiences, of which one withdrew from the study while the other completed the intervention. CONCLUSION The program could improve self-compassion, re-experiencing, physical depressive symptoms, and sleep quality in parents of children with cancer, which demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a self-help mindful self-compassion intervention through the internet. Increasing retention rates in future studies merits further discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyi Tan
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Changsha, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiling Yang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiqing Cai
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlu Chen
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangnan Meng
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng He
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaying Huang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijie Wang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiubo Zhao
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Cowfer BA, Dietrich MS, Akard TF, Gilmer MJ. Relationships Between Parental Anxiety and Child Quality of Life in Advanced Childhood Cancer. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY NURSING 2023; 40:209-216. [PMID: 37032466 DOI: 10.1177/27527530221147876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Background: Family factors, such as household income and parental psychosocial distress, have been associated with quality of life in children with cancer. However, relationships between parent anxiety and child health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have not been evaluated in children with advanced cancer. Objective: To examine relationships between parent anxiety and both parent-reported and child self-reported HRQoL for children with advanced cancer. Method: Children (aged 5-17 years) with relapsed or refractory cancer and their parents participated in this single-institution cross-sectional study. Parents completed measures of their own baseline anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait [STAI-T] form) and their ill child's HRQoL (PedsQL Generic and PedsQL Cancer, parent report). Children completed age-specific PedsQL Generic and PedsQL Cancer, child report. Spearman's rho coefficients assessed correlations between total parent STAI-T score and both parent-reported and child-reported HRQoL scales. Results: Twenty children (Mage = 9.5 years, 50% female) and their 20 parents (90% mothers) participated. The strongest and statistically significant (p < .05) correlations were inverse associations between parental trait anxiety and parent-reported child psychosocial HRQoL (rs = -.54), emotional functioning (rs = -.49), school functioning (rs = -.45), and child pain and hurt (rs = -.45). Correlations of parental anxiety with all dimensions of child-reported HRQoL were generally smaller (rs < .40), positive, and not statistically significant (p > .05). Discussion: Given the inverse correlations between parental anxiety and child psychosocial HRQoL, assessment of parent mental health needs and access to interventions should be provided routinely for parents of children with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A Cowfer
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary S Dietrich
- Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Terrah Foster Akard
- Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary Jo Gilmer
- Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
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Bretones Nieto B, Pozo Muñoz C, Vázquez López MÁ. Needs Assessment in Parents of Children Affected by Cancer: A Qualitative Perspective. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9121957. [PMID: 36553400 PMCID: PMC9776725 DOI: 10.3390/children9121957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer is a "stressful experience" for parents in their role as caregivers. The aim of this study is to analyze the needs of a group of parents who have children diagnosed with cancer. The assessment looks at all areas of their daily life using a qualitative content analysis approach. METHODS This study uses open questions designed to investigate the main problems faced by the parents of children with cancer. All the answers were analyzed using MAXQDA 20 software. The study was conducted according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). RESULTS The content analysis of the answers from 13 mothers and 7 fathers is presented. The main themes as priority areas of need were: "informal social support", "coping", "stressors/imbalances" and "health problems". Dissatisfaction with the support provided from the informal network was detected. Although the participants expressed active coping, they also exhibited helplessness, as well as concerns regarding possible sequelae and the impact of this situation on the family's economic/work context. Conciliation problems were a source of stress. All this is consistent with the participants suffering from a variety of health issues. CONCLUSIONS the results show the effect of childhood cancer on different aspects of family life. They provide essential information for designing psychosocial interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Bretones Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmen Pozo Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
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Cepuch G, Kruszecka-Krówka A, Samardakiewicz M, Gniadek A, Micek A. Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasms in Children as a Factor Inducing Negative Emotions and Toxic Stress in Parents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11307. [PMID: 36141586 PMCID: PMC9516952 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grażyna Cepuch
- Nursing and Midwifery Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika Str. 25, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kruszecka-Krówka
- Nursing and Midwifery Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika Str. 25, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marzena Samardakiewicz
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences College Academicum, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki Str. 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Gniadek
- Nursing and Midwifery Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika Str. 25, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Micek
- Nursing and Midwifery Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika Str. 25, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
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