Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress in Parents of Children Recently Diagnosed with Cancer

Santacroce, Sheila Judge

doi:10.1177/104345420201900305

Cited by 80 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…These findings are consistent with previous studies indicating an inverse association between psychological distress and illness-related knowledge [16,17]. It is found that amongst key problems faced by parents whose children are affected by cancer include uncertainty, which is associated with anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms [28]. Parents often become uncertain about the controllability of cancer and the complexity of information related to illness and treatments.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors in Parents of Children with Cancer

Othman¹,

Mohamad²,

Hussin³

et al. 2011

IJSSH

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Abstract-Introduction: Diagnosis of cancer in children poses a challenging situation for parents to cope with. Method: Seventy-nine (N = 79) parents whose children are receiving treatment for cancer in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional descriptive study. They completed a set questionnaire measuring their level of anxiety and stress, knowledge about cancer, and amount of activities they perform with or for the child to enhance the child's coping abilities, in addition to children's psychological problems. Socio-demographic information was obtained. Results: Parents with higher cancer knowledge reported reduced stress (p<0.01) and anxiety (p<0.05). The higher the income (p<0.05) and education (p<0.01), the higher cancer knowledge. Parental stress was negatively correlated with income (p<0.05) and education (p<0.01), indicating that the better educated and higher the salary, less stress symptoms. Highly educated parents engaged in more activities with their children (p<0.05). Parental anxiety was correlated significantly with children's current treatment including chemotherapy procedure (p<0.01), 'In-patient' Vs 'Outpatient' (p<0.01), and children's condition (p<0.01). Parents of hospitalized children who underwent chemotherapy were significantly more anxious than their counterparts. Parents who perceived their children's current condition as 'very good', reported reduced anxiety, compared to those who reported their child's condition as 'ok'. The more psychological problems the children had, the higher parental anxiety (p<0.05) and stress symptoms (p<0.01). Discussion: Some groups of parents reported more psychological difficulties compared to others. Ongoing psychological assessment and intervention may reduce parental stress by increasing coping and reducing children psychological problems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors in Parents of Children with Cancer

Othman¹,

Mohamad²,

Hussin³

et al. 2011

IJSSH

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“…As the experience cancer influences the emotional response of parents in relation to their child's needs, the ability of the child or adolescent to deal with adverse situations is related to the parents' ability to manage situations of crises. This relationship reinforces the importance of understanding the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on parents (Hoekstra-Weebers et al, 2001;Robinson, Gerhardt, Vannatta, & Noll, 2007;Santacroce, 2002;Streisand, Kazak, & Tercyak, 2003).…”

Section: The Psychosocial Impact Of Childhood Cancer On Parentsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…About half of parents report moderate to intense levels of posttraumatic stress, including intrusive thoughts, treatment avoidance, physiological responses, flashbacks and psychological agitation (Kazak, Boeving, Alderfer, Hwang, & Reilly, 2005;Santacroce, 2002;Vrijmoet-Wiersma et al, 2008). On the other hand, the work of Jurbergs, Long, Ticona e Phipps (2009) does not report significant differences in posttraumatic stress symptoms between parents of children undergoing treatment and symptoms in parents of healthy children.…”

Section: Psychosocial Distressmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Parents reporting high levels of anxiety at the diagnosis usually continue to experience significant manifestations even after the treatment ends (Vrijmoet-Wiersma et al). High levels of anxiety may be correlated with post traumatic stress, difficulties making decisions, loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and treatment avoidance (Best, Streisand, Catania, & Kazak, 2001;Santacroce, 2002).…”

Section: Psychosocial Distressmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacto psicossocial do câncer pediátrico para pais: revisão da literatura

Kohlsdorf

Costa

2012

Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto)

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A diagnosis of childhood cancer represents challenges for patients, family members, and health workers. The parents of a child or adolescent have to play an expanded role because they need to reconcile parental tasks and treatment demands. This study presents an integrative literature review concerning difficulties experienced by pediatric caregivers during onco-hematological treatment. The CAPES periodicals portal and the Scientific Library Online (SciELO) were searched for papers published between 1999 and 2009. Relevant themes are highlighted in Brazilian and international studies published in the field, such as psychological disorders experienced by caregivers, the professional and financial impact associated with treatment, changes in educative practices and family dynamics, and the influence of cultural practices on the experience of treatment. Suggestions for further research are presented to support efficient psychosocial interventions and minimize the psychosocial costs experienced by pediatric caregivers over the course of onco-hematological treatments.Keywords: Childhood Cancer, Caregivers, Children, Psycho-oncology. Impacto Psicossocial do Câncer Pediátrico para Pais: Revisão da LiteraturaResumo: O diagnóstico de câncer infantil representa desafios para pacientes, familiares e profissionais de saúde. Os pais de uma criança ou adolescente em tratamento têm seu papel estendido, pois precisam administrar práticas parentais e exigências do tratamento. Este artigo objetiva realizar revisão integrativa da literatura relacionada a dificuldades vivenciadas pelos cuidadores pediátricos durante tratamento onco-hematológico. Foi realizada revisão da literatura publicada entre 1999 e 2009, a partir da busca em bases de dados Portal de Periódicos CAPES e Scientific Library Online (SciELO). Com base na literatura nacional e internacional recentemente publicada na área destacam-se temas importantes, como perturbações psicológicas vivenciadas pelos cuidadores, impacto profissional e financeiro associado ao tratamento, mudanças em práticas educativas, alterações na dinâmica familiar e influência de práticas culturais na vivência do tratamento. São apresentadas sugestões para pesquisas que possam subsidiar intervenções psicossociais eficientes para diminuir custos psicossociais vivenciados por cuidadores pediátricos ao longo do tratamento onco-hematológico. Palavras-chave:Câncer em Crianças, Cuidadores, Crianças, Psico-oncologia. Impacto Psicosocial del Cáncer en la Infancia para Padres: Revisión de la LiteraturaResumen: El diagnóstico del cáncer en la infancia es desafío para enfermos, familia y profesionales Hoekstra de salud. Los padres del niño o adolescente en tratamiento tienen su papel extendido y necesitan asociar prácticas de paternidad a exigencias del tratamiento. Constituí objetivo de este artículo realizar revisión integrativa de literatura, con atención para dificultades vivenciadas por cuidadores pediátricos en tratamiento onco-hematológico. Fue realizada busca en la literatura publicada entre...

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“…children diagnosed with cancer who scored high on levels of uncertainty were at an increased risk for anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder [Santacroce, 2002]. However, some parents have reported that personal growth can be a positive outcome of uncertainty by recognizing that an uncertain outcome leaves open the possibilities for a positive outcome for their child [Cohen, 1993;Clarke-Steffen, 1993a;Rosenthal et al, 2001].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncertainty and perceived personal control among parents of children with rare chromosome conditions: The role of genetic counseling

Lipinski

Biesecker

et al. 2006

American J of Med Genetics Pt C

100

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Little is known about the impact of genetic counseling on parental uncertainty or perceived control regarding the prognosis of a child with a chromosomal disorder. By exploring the parents' concerns and needs surrounding the child's diagnosis, a genetic provider can help to facilitate effective coping. This study tested the association of measures of parental uncertainty and perceived control with the perceived helpfulness of the genetic counselor. A survey was distributed to 875 members of the Chromosome Deletion Outreach (CDO) support group. We hypothesized that parents' perceptions about the helpfulness of the genetic counselor would modify the relationship between perceived uncertainty, perceived control, and coping. Among the 363 respondents, there was a significant negative correlation of the perceived helpfulness of seeing a genetic counselor with the levels of uncertainty (rs = −0.20, P‐value < 0.001). Lower perceived helpfulness of the genetic counselor, along with less perceived personal control, less benefit of a diagnosis, and lower parental age were significant predictors of the highest perceptions of uncertainty. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping was used as a framework for interpreting the relationships between parental uncertainty, perceived control, and outcome variables. There was a significant positive correlation between parents' perceived personal control and their reports of helpfulness of the genetic counselor (rs = 0.20, P‐value <0.0006). Genetic counseling can be enhanced for parents faced with rare disorders by using interventions focused on reducing feelings of uncertainty and enhancing feelings of control. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress in Parents of Children Recently Diagnosed with Cancer

Cited by 80 publications

References 20 publications

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors in Parents of Children with Cancer

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors in Parents of Children with Cancer

Impacto psicossocial do câncer pediátrico para pais: revisão da literatura

Uncertainty and perceived personal control among parents of children with rare chromosome conditions: The role of genetic counseling

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