CNS-Directed Cancer Treatment and Child Adjustment: Moderating Effects of Maternal Parenting

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine whether maternal parenting behaviors (i.e., warmth, behavioral/psychological control) moderate the association between central nervous system (CNS)-directed treatment and adjustment among pediatric cancer survivors at 3 years post-diagnosis or relapse.

METHODS

Three years after their child's cancer diagnosis or relapse, mothers (N = 84) reported on their child's academic and social competence, as well as their internalizing and externalizing problems. Children (N = 84; Mage = 13.21 years, 52.4% male) reported on maternal parenting behaviors. Using medical chart data, children were separated into CNS (i.e., received cranial radiation, intrathecal chemotherapy, and/or neurosurgery; N = 45) or non-CNS-directed treatment (N = 39) groups. Twelve moderation models were tested when examining two-way interactions between CNS treatment group and maternal parenting behaviors.

RESULTS

Children in the CNS-directed treatment group demonstrated significantly worse academic and social competence. Moderation analyses revealed four significant two-way interactions between CNS treatment group and maternal parenting behaviors when predicting children's adjustment. High levels of maternal behavioral control buffered the negative impact of CNS-directed treatment on children's social competence. In addition, maternal warmth had a contrasting effect, as CNS-directed treatment was associated with worse academic competence at high levels of warmth. Analyses with psychological control revealed that low levels of this parenting style were not protective against internalizing or externalizing problems among those with CNS-directed treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Children who receive CNS-directed treatment may benefit from a different pattern of parenting during early cancer survivorship. Findings highlight the importance of considering the broader family context when conceptualizing the impact of illness-related factors on adjustment among pediatric cancer survivors.

Mother-child communication about possible cancer recurrence during childhood cancer survivorship

OBJECTIVE

Providing opportunities to communicate about possible cancer recurrence may be adaptive for youth in remission, yet parents may experience difficulty guiding discussions related to fears of cancer recurrence (FCR). This study aimed to characterize mother-child discussions about potential cancer recurrence during post-treatment survivorship and to determine predictors of maternal communication.

METHODS

Families (N = 67) were recruited after the child's initial cancer diagnosis (age 5-17 years) and mothers self-reported their distress (post-traumatic stress symptoms; PTSS). During survivorship 3-5 years later, mothers were video-recorded discussing cancer with their children. Presence and length of discussion about potential cancer recurrence, triggers for FCR, expressed affect, and conversational reciprocity were examined. Hierarchical regressions were used to assess maternal PTSS near the time of cancer diagnosis and child age as predictors of maternal communication.

RESULTS

Three-quarters of dyads spontaneously discussed risk for or fears about cancer recurrence; mothers initiated the topic more frequently than their children. Dyads discussed internal (bodily symptoms) and external (medical, social) triggers of FCR. Higher maternal PTSS at diagnosis predicted significantly lower levels of maternal positive affect (β = -0.36, p = 0.02) and higher levels of maternal negative affect (β = 0.30, p = 0.04) during discussion of recurrence 3-5 years later. Older child age significantly predicted higher levels of maternal negative affect (β = 0.35, p = 0.02). Higher maternal PTSS at diagnosis predicted shorter discussions about recurrence for younger children (β = 0.27, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding predictors and characteristics of mother-child discussions about recurrence can guide family-based FCR interventions, particularly those promoting communication as a supportive tool. Both maternal PTSS and child age are important to consider when developing these interventions.

Longitudinal associations among maternal depressive symptoms, child emotional caretaking, and anxious/depressed symptoms in pediatric cancer

Research has shown that children experience increased emotional distress when engaging in emotional caretaking of a parent. The current study is the first to examine this process in families in which the source of the stress is the child's illness. Prospective associations were tested among mothers' depressive symptoms near the time of their child's cancer diagnosis, mothers' expressed distress and their child's emotional caretaking during an interaction task, and child anxious/depressed symptoms at 1 year postdiagnosis. Families (N = 78) were recruited from two pediatric hospitals soon after their child's (Ages 5-18) new diagnosis or relapse of cancer. Mothers reported on their own depressive symptoms and their child's anxious/depressed symptoms near the time of diagnosis or recurrence (Time 1) and 1 year later (Time 3). At Time 2 (4 months after Time 1), mother-child dyads completed a video-recorded discussion of their experience with cancer that was coded for observed maternal expressed distress (anxiety, sadness) and observed child emotional caretaking. Maternal expressed distress during the interaction was significantly related to more emotional caretaking behaviors by both boys and girls. Results of a moderated mediation model showed that child emotional caretaking at Time 2 significantly mediated the relation between maternal depressive symptoms at Time 1 and child anxious/depressed symptoms at Time 3 for girls but not for boys. The findings suggest that children's emotional caretaking behaviors contribute to subsequent anxious/depressed symptoms for girls, but not for boys, with cancer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Trajectories of health behaviors across early childhood cancer survivorship

OBJECTIVE

The majority of childhood cancer survivors develop at least one late effect subsequent to treatment (eg, cardiovascular disease and obesity). Consistent engagement in recommended health behaviors may mitigate some of these conditions. Researchers have identified early survivorship as a teachable moment, yet few studies have examined positive health behaviors during this period.

METHODS

Families of children with cancer (ages 5-17) were initially recruited following a diagnosis or relapse of cancer. Three years post diagnosis, survivors (n = 82, M_age  = 13.3, SD = 3.7) and their mothers (n = 103, M_age  = 41.1, SD = 7.6) completed a questionnaire assessing exercise, dietary, and sleep patterns among survivors. A follow-up assessment was conducted 2 years later. Mixed models tested change in health behavior over time.

RESULTS

At 3- and 5-year post diagnosis, mother and self-report indicated that few survivors engaged in appropriate levels of low-intensity exercise, fruit/vegetable intake, and dairy consumption. However, most survivors engaged in recommended levels of high intensity exercise, fast food restriction, and sleep. Health behaviors remained stable over time, except for mother report of sleep duration, which decreased (b = -0.6, P < 0.001). Brain tumor diagnosis predicted a larger decrease in self-report of sleep duration compared with other diagnoses (P = 0.04). Income predicted fast food intake such that higher income was associated with decreased intake over time, whereas lower income was associated with increased intake (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

During early survivorship, several health behaviors fell short of expectations for exercise and diet and did not improve upon reaching 5-year post diagnosis. Providers should evaluate survivors' health behaviors, including sleep, early and often, intervening when necessary.

Interest in Learning About Fertility Status Among Male Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

PURPOSE

As many as two-thirds of male childhood cancer survivors are at risk for fertility impairment as a consequence of treatment. Despite this, survivorship guidelines lack concrete recommendations as to when fertility status conversations should happen between patients and providers and what should be discussed. Thus, conversations may be inconsistent, or do not occur at all in survivorship. To inform recommendations for fertility-related conversations in survivorship, this pilot study aimed to better understand background (e.g., age, diagnosis and treatment intensity) and psychosocial factors (i.e., perceived barriers and perceived susceptibility) associated with survivor interest in learning about fertility status.

METHODS

Male survivors (N = 45) 15-25 years of age were recruited within 1-8 years of completing treatment. Survivors completed questionnaires based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) to assess perception of infertility risk and attitudes toward testing.

RESULTS

Most survivors (n = 31; 69%) reported they were informed of their risk for infertility by a healthcare provider before treatment, but only 31% (n = 14) of the sample banked sperm. Nearly two-thirds of survivors (n = 29; 64%) were interested in learning more about their fertility post-treatment. This interest was significantly correlated with greater perceived susceptibility to infertility by survivors, but it was not associated with other psychosocial or background factors.

CONCLUSION

Informing survivors of their personal infertility risk may increase interest in pursuing testing. Offering opportunities for fertility testing and family planning alternatives may mitigate potential psychological distress and unplanned pregnancy. While additional research is needed, future survivorship guidelines should encourage regular communication about fertility status and offer fertility testing for male survivors.

Fertility-Related Perceptions and Impact on Romantic Relationships Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

PURPOSE

To present an overview of fertility-related perceptions and describe the perceived negative/positive impact of (potential) infertility on romantic relationships among childhood cancer survivors.

METHODS

Male and female long-term childhood cancer survivors (N = 92) aged 22-43 and 7-37 years postdiagnosis, completed an online survey about fertility-related perceptions (i.e., knowledge, beliefs, uncertainty, concern, and attitudes toward testing) and romantic relationships. Potential differences based on sociodemographic/cancer-specific factors were tested.

RESULTS

Most survivors (82.4%, n = 75) knew about infertility risk due to childhood cancer treatment. Seventy percent (n = 65) reported being told they were personally at risk, but less than one-third believed it (29.2%, n = 19/65). Half of survivors (48.9%, n = 45) never underwent fertility testing and were unaware of their fertility status. Fertility-related uncertainty and concerns were more common among survivors without children and those who desired (additional) children (d's > 0.5). Among survivors without biological children (n = 52), partnered survivors felt more uncertain about their fertility than singles (d = 0.8). Ten survivors (10.9%) reported a negative impact of infertility on romantic relationships, 6 (6.5%) reported a positive impact, and 7 (7.6%) reported both (e.g., pressure on relationship, fights, break-ups, being closer, and open partner communication).

CONCLUSIONS

Fertility-related perceptions varied among survivors, but the majority never underwent fertility testing. Uncertainty or concerns differed by current circumstances (e.g., wanting children and relationship status). Providers should routinely discuss potential infertility and offer testing throughout survivorship. A negative impact on romantic relationships may seem small, but should be considered for survivors who desire children and may discover they are infertile in the future.