Fear of progression in parents of childhood cancer survivors: A dyadic data analysis

Abstract Purpose Recent research demonstrated that fear of progression (FoP) is a major burden for adult cancer survivors. However, knowledge on FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is scarce. This study aimed to determine the proportion of parents who show dysfunctional levels of FoP, to investigate gender differences, and to examine factors associated with FoP in mothers and fathers. Methods Five hundred sixteen parents of pediatric cancer survivors (aged 0–17 years at diagnosis of leukemia or central nervous system (CNS) tumor) were consecutively recruited after the end of intensive cancer treatment. We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses for mothers and fathers and integrated parent-, patient-, and family-related factors in the models. Results Significantly more mothers (54%) than fathers (41%) suffered from dysfunctional levels of FoP. Maternal FoP was significantly associated with depression, a medical coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and lower family functioning (adjusted R2 = .30, p < .001). Paternal FoP was significantly associated with a lower level of education, depression, a family coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and fewer siblings (adjusted R2 = .48, p < .001). Conclusions FoP represents a great burden for parents of pediatric cancer survivors. We identified associated factors of parental FoP. Some of these factors can be targeted by health care professionals within psychosocial interventions and others can provide an indication for an increased risk for higher levels of FoP. Implications for Cancer Survivors Psychosocial support targeting FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is highly indicated.

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Long-term positive and negative psychosocial outcomes in young childhood cancer survivors, type 1 diabetics and their healthy peers

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2016-0027 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anna-Lena Kremer ◽

Katharina Schieber ◽

Markus Metzler ◽

Sonja Schuster ◽

Yesim Erim

Keyword(s):

Chronic Disease ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Psychosocial Development ◽

Psychosocial Outcomes ◽

Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽

Fear Of Progression ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

Abstract Objective: This study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) in young childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and type 1 diabetics (DM), with physically healthy peers as the control group (CG). Anxiety and depression as negative mental outcomes in the three groups, as well as fear of progression in DM and CCS were examined. Methods: A total of 107 participants with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years were examined: CCS (n=33), type 1 diabetics (n=39) and peers without a history of chronic disease (n=35). PTG and negative psychosocial outcomes were assessed with self-report questionnaires. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups regarding PTG. On a subscale level DM reported higher appreciation of life (p=0.024), higher personal strength (p=0.010), and more new possibilities (p=0.010) compared to CG. CCS experienced higher spiritual changes than DM (p=0.050). DM reported higher levels of anxiety compared to CCS (p=0.026) and CG (p=0.049). Depression was higher in DM compared to CG (p=0.003). Fear of progression was higher in DM compared to CCS (p<0.001). Conclusion: These findings show that psychological growth was experienced by young CCS and participants with DM. Furthermore, these findings highlight that adolescents with a significant health diagnosis in childhood or youth can undergo a similar or even more positive psychosocial development as peers without a history of chronic disease. However, young type 1 diabetics seem to be a more vulnerable group in terms of anxiety, depression and fear of progression.

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