This study used meta-analytic methods to compare the functioning of parents of children with cancer to parents of physically healthy children or normative samples. A meta-analysis using fixed effects, weighted least squares methods was conducted on 29 studies examining psychological distress and marital and family functioning among parents of children with cancer. Mothers and fathers of children newly diagnosed with cancer reported significantly greater distress than comparison samples. Mothers reported greater distress than fathers up to 12 months postdiagnosis. Mothers of children with cancer reported higher levels of family conflict than mothers of healthy children. Findings suggest that pediatric cancer impacts parents' perceptions of self- and family functioning, especially within the 1st year following diagnosis.

Results support the presence of neuropsychological and academic sequelae for ALL survivors treated solely with chemotherapy and highlight the need for ongoing follow-up of children with ALL using a standardized neuropsychological test battery and research methodology.

Child psychological distress may exacerbate the impact of parental solicitous responses to pain on functioning, suggesting the potential role of family intervention to enhance optimal functioning in children with recurrent pain.

Continued parental supervision of adolescents, along with monitoring diabetes knowledge and efficacy, may help optimize transfer of diabetes care from parents to youths. Behavior problems warrant immediate attention because of their direct and adverse relation to metabolic control.