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Himelhoch AC, Olsavsky AL, Darow EL, Lipak KG, Kenney AE, Fisher RS, Prussien KV, Vannatta KA, Compas BE, Gerhardt CA. Cancer-related stress in childhood cancer survivorship: Prevalence and associations with perceptions of health risks and quality of life. Psychooncology 2024; 33:e6253. [PMID: 38009605 PMCID: PMC10841662 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Limited research has characterized cancer-related stress (CRS) among families of childhood cancer survivors. We examined the prevalence of CRS among survivors and caregivers, as well as its association with health risk perceptions (i.e., prognosis, risk for diminished quality of life) and views of survivor quality of life (QoL). METHODS At five years post-diagnosis or relapse, survivors (n = 100; Mage = 15.84 years; 89% White), mothers (n = 127), and fathers (n = 59) reported their CRS. Perceived prognosis and risk for diminished QoL were rated on a 0%-100% visual analogue scale, while the PedsQL assessed QoL. RESULTS CRS was low (M = 1.6-1.8, scale: 1-4); mothers reported greater stress than survivors, p = 0.038, d = 0.25. There was an indirect effect of survivors' perceived prognosis on their QoL through CRS, CI = 0.04 to 0.25, R2 = 0.32. Among mothers, there was an indirect effect of perceived prognosis/risk for diminished QoL on their reports of survivor QoL through CRS, CI = 0.03 to 0.23 and -0.15 to -0.03, R2 = 0.28 and 0.32, respectively. There were no indirect effects among fathers. CONCLUSIONS CRS may be an important, modifiable factor that could improve survivors' QoL. Research is needed to examine how CRS changes over time to assess the utility of interventions among female survivors, mothers, and those with lower prognosis estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Himelhoch
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
| | - Anna L. Olsavsky
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
| | - Eva L. Darow
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
| | - Keagan G. Lipak
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
| | - Ansley E. Kenney
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
| | - Rachel S. Fisher
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
| | - Kemar V. Prussien
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Vannatta
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Psychology, The Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Bruce E. Compas
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Gerhardt
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio,
USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Psychology, The Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Bates CR, Fairclough D, Noll RB, Barrera ME, Kupst MJ, Egan AM, Gartstein MA, Ach EL, Gerhardt CA, Vannatta KA. Psychosocial functioning of caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29565. [PMID: 35044078 PMCID: PMC8860870 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of caregiver needs is a recommended standard of care in pediatric oncology. Caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are a subgroup that may be at highest psychosocial risk. This study examined psychosocial functioning of caregivers of PBTS in comparison to caregivers of youth without cancer history. We hypothesized that caregivers of PBTS would exhibit more psychological symptoms, higher caregiver burden, and lower perceptions of social support than caregivers of comparison youth. PROCEDURE As part of a five-site study, we utilized a matched sample design to evaluate psychosocial functioning of 301 caregivers of 189 PBTS (ages 8-15) who were 1-5 years post treatment, and 286 caregivers of 187 comparison youth matched for sex, race, and age. Caregivers completed measures of psychological symptoms, caregiver burden, and perceptions of social support. Repeated measures mixed models compared outcomes between groups and examined differences based on caregiver sex. Socioeconomic status (SES) was examined as a moderator of significant main effects. RESULTS Caregivers of PBTS reported similar levels of psychological symptoms to caregivers of comparison youth. Mothers of PBTS mothers reported higher caregiver burden and lower perceptions of social support than mothers of comparison youth. Low SES exacerbated group differences in caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS Mothers of PBTS may have more caregiving responsibilities and perceive less social support, but reported similar levels of psychological symptoms to comparison mothers; fathers of PBTS were similar to comparison fathers. The mechanisms involved in this complex psychosocial dynamic require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn R. Bates
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Diane Fairclough
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robert B. Noll
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maru E. Barrera
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary Jo Kupst
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anna M. Egan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO,University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Emily L. Ach
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Gerhardt
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Vannatta
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Fisher RS, Rausch JR, Ferrante AC, Prussien KV, Olshefski RS, Vannatta KA, Compas BE, Gerhardt CA. Trajectories of health behaviors across early childhood cancer survivorship. Psychooncology 2018; 28:68-75. [PMID: 30402997 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
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, Mage = 13.3, SD = 3.7) and their mothers (n = 103, Mage = 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Fisher
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Joseph R Rausch
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Amanda C Ferrante
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kemar V Prussien
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Randal S Olshefski
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kathryn A Vannatta
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Bruce E Compas
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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Keim MC, Lehmann V, Shultz EL, Winning AM, Rausch JR, Barrera M, Gilmer MJ, Murphy LK, Vannatta KA, Compas BE, Gerhardt CA. Parent-Child Communication and Adjustment Among Children With Advanced and Non-Advanced Cancer in the First Year Following Diagnosis or Relapse. J Pediatr Psychol 2017; 42:871-881. [PMID: 28369400 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsx058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To examine parent-child communication (i.e., openness, problems) and child adjustment among youth with advanced or non-advanced cancer and comparison children. Methods Families (n = 125) were recruited after a child's diagnosis/relapse and stratified by advanced (n = 55) or non-advanced (n = 70) disease. Comparison children (n = 60) were recruited from local schools. Children (ages 10-17) reported on communication (Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale) with both parents, while mothers reported on child adjustment (Child Behavior Checklist) at enrollment (T1) and one year (T2). Results Openness/problems in communication did not differ across groups at T1, but problems with fathers were higher among children with non-advanced cancer versus comparisons at T2. Openness declined for all fathers, while changes in problems varied by group for both parents. T1 communication predicted later adjustment only for children with advanced cancer. Conclusions Communication plays an important role, particularly for children with advanced cancer. Additional research with families affected by life-limiting conditions is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelaine C Keim
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Vicky Lehmann
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Emily L Shultz
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Adrien M Winning
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Joseph R Rausch
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Maru Barrera
- Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences
| | - Mary Jo Gilmer
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development
| | - Lexa K Murphy
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development
| | - Kathryn A Vannatta
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Bruce E Compas
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Biobehavioral Health.,The Ohio State University, Department of Pediatrics
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Shultz EL, Lehmann V, Rausch JR, Keim MC, Winning AM, Olshefski RS, Vannatta KA, Compas BE, Gerhardt CA. Family estimates of risk for neurocognitive late effects following pediatric cancer: From diagnosis through the first three years of survivorship. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 28121066 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Families often express a need for additional information about neurocognitive late effects (NCLE) after a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Therefore, we examined: (i) differences in parent, child, and oncologist estimates of risk for NCLE; (ii) whether the estimates of parents and/or children change over time; and (iii) whether estimates are different for children treated with central nervous system (CNS) directed therapies. PROCEDURE Mothers, fathers, and children (initial age: 5-17, self-report: >10) from 258 families reported their perceived likelihood of the child developing "thinking/learning problems" on a visual analog scale (0-100%) at 2 months (T1), 1 year (T2), and 3 years (T3) following cancer diagnosis/relapse. Oncologists estimated the likelihood of NCLE at T1. Children were separated into groups based on CNS-directed treatment (n = 137; neurosurgery, intrathecal chemotherapy, and/or craniospinal radiation) or no CNS treatment. RESULTS Mother, father, and child estimates of risk for NCLE were similar to oncologists and to one another around diagnosis (T1). Although there were no significant mean differences, a considerable subset of family members either underestimated their child's risk for NCLE (>40%) or overestimated the risk for NCLE (20%) in comparison to oncologists. At T2 and T3, the estimates of mothers were significantly higher than children. Linear growth curves indicated that mothers' estimates for children with CNS-directed treatment significantly increased throughout the first 3 years of survivorship. CONCLUSIONS Considering that accurate understanding of NCLE is essential to seeking appropriate assessment and intervention, healthcare providers should focus on implementing family-based education early in treatment and throughout survivorship care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Shultz
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Vicky Lehmann
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Joseph R Rausch
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.,The Department of Pediatrics at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Madelaine C Keim
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Adrien M Winning
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Randal S Olshefski
- The Department of Pediatrics at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.,Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kathryn A Vannatta
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.,The Department of Pediatrics at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.,The Department of Psychology at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.,The Department of Pediatrics at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.,The Department of Psychology at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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Moran LM, Bigler E, Dennis M, Gerhardt CA, Rubin KH, Stancin T, Taylor HG, Vannatta KA, Yeates KO. Social problem-solving and social adjustment in paediatric traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj 2015; 29:1682-90. [PMID: 26378419 DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1075140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little is known regarding the predictors of social deficits that occur following childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). The current study sought to investigate social problem solving (SPS) and its relationship to social adjustment after TBI. METHODS Participants included 8-13 year old children, 25 with severe TBI, 57 with complicated mild-to-moderate TBI and 61 with orthopaedic injuries (OI). Children responded to scenarios involving negative social situations by selecting from a fixed set of choices their causal attribution for the event, their emotional reaction to the event and how they would behave in response. Parent ratings of social behaviours and classmate friendship nominations and sociometric ratings were obtained for a sub-set of all participants. RESULTS Children with severe TBI were less likely than children with OI to indicate they would attribute external blame or respond by avoiding the antagonist; they were more likely to indicate they would feel sad and request adult intervention. Although several SPS variables had indirect effects on the relationship between TBI and social adjustment, clinical significance was limited. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that, while children with TBI display atypical SPS skills, SPS cannot be used in isolation to accurately predict social adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Moran
- a Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Health , University of California , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| | - Erin Bigler
- b Department of Psychology , Brigham Young University , Provo, UT, USA .,c Department of Psychiatry , University of Utah , Salt Lake City , UT , USA
| | - Maureen Dennis
- d Departments of Psychology and Surgery , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada .,e Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children , Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- f The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital .,g Department of Pediatrics , The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH , USA
| | - Kenneth H Rubin
- h Department of Human Development & Quantitative Methodology , University of Maryland , College Park , MD , USA .,i Center for Children, Relationships, & Culture, University of Maryland , College Park , MD , USA
| | - Terry Stancin
- j Department of Pediatrics , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH, USA .,k Department of Pediatrics , MetroHealth Medical Center , Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - H Gerry Taylor
- j Department of Pediatrics , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH, USA .,l Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center , Cleveland, OH, USA , and
| | - Kathryn A Vannatta
- f The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital .,g Department of Pediatrics , The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH , USA
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- m Department of Psychology , University of Calgary , Calgary , AB , Canada
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