Long-term trajectories of depression symptoms in mothers of children with cancer.

Abstract

Objective: To identify trajectories of depression symptoms in mothers of children with cancer from diagnosis/relapse through 5 years and examine maternal factors at diagnosis/relapse predicting membership in these trajectories. Method: Mothers (n ϭ 327; M age ϭ 37.6 years, SD ϭ 7.7 years; 85.9% White) reported depression symptoms near the time of their child's diagnosis/relapse and then again at 1-, 3-, and 5-years postdiagnosis/relapse. Mothers also reported perceived stress, coping (primary control, secondary control, and disengagement coping), and spirituality near the time of diagnosis. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify latent trajectories of depression symptoms, and a 3-step multinomial logistic regression tested covariate predictors of membership in the trajectories. Results: Three trajectories were identified: "low depression symptoms" (63.3%), "moderate depression symptoms" (31.5%), and "high depression symptoms" (5.2%). Mothers who used more primary and secondary control coping were more likely to be in the low depression symptom trajectory as compared with the moderate (OR ϭ 1.64, p ϭ .024 and OR ϭ 1.38, p ϭ .013, respectively) or high trajectories (OR ϭ 1.99, p ϭ .008 and OR ϭ 1.81, p ϭ .001, respectively). Conclusions: Although mothers of children with cancer generally displayed improved mental health further from diagnosis, mothers with more depression symptoms after diagnosis/ relapse displayed substantial stability in depression symptoms over the 5 years. Mothers of children with cancer may benefit from early screening of mental health and coping strategies, as well as interventions to bolster effective coping for those with elevated depression symptoms.

Psychosocial functioning of caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors

“…Our findings add to a growing body of literature suggesting that most caregivers of children with cancer are resilient when faced with the challenge of their child's illness 17,19 . This notion coincides with longitudinal studies of caregiver distress, which suggests that most caregivers adjust to the stressor of pediatric cancer treatment within the first year and continue to do well over time 9,15 . A subset of caregivers who struggle to adjust initially may be at highest risk for long‐term elevations in psychological symptoms 15,22 .…”

“…This notion coincides with longitudinal studies of caregiver distress, which suggests that most caregivers adjust to the stressor of pediatric cancer treatment within the first year and continue to do well over time 9,15 . A subset of caregivers who struggle to adjust initially may be at highest risk for long‐term elevations in psychological symptoms 15,22 . A deeper understanding of individual as well as familial differences in effective coping and support strategies may improve intervention for these caregivers 40 .…”

How Do Mothers Take Care of Their Infants with Colic Pain? A Mixed-Method Study

“…In addition to mothers' reduced quality of care, this issue also affects their quality of life. Howard Sharp reported that caring alone caused depression in mothers of children with cancer in the longrun ( 28 ). Thuy showed that family support was related to fatigue of mothers ( 29 ).…”

Longitudinal understanding of prognosis among adolescents with cancer

“…Data presented are part of a longitudinal study examining coping and family communication following a new or relapsed diagnosis of childhood cancer 5,15,16 . Participants eligible for the larger study were (a) 5‐17 years old, (b) diagnosed with new or relapsed cancer, (c) English‐speaking, and (d) without preexisting developmental delay.…”

“…Data presented are part of a longitudinal study examining coping and family communication following a new or relapsed diagnosis of childhood cancer. 5,15,16 Participants eligible for the larger study were (a)…”