Major Stressors and Their Effects on the Well-Being of Children with Cancer

A child suffering from cancer can be considerably stressful for parents, exerting a negative impact on their psychological well-being and quality of life. This study explored the relationships between resilience and quality of life in parents of children with cancer. We recruited 146 parents of children with cancer in two tertiary hospitals in mainland China. The results revealed that greater parental resilience was associated with better quality of life. It is essential to develop interventions that can enhance resilience for parents of children with cancer, thereby improving their quality of life. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03631485

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of a Mobile Device–Based Resilience Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27639 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yuanhui Luo ◽

Wei Xia ◽

Ankie Tan Cheung ◽

Laurie Long Kwan Ho ◽

Jingping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Training Program ◽

Mobile Device ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Resilience Training ◽

Experimental Group

BACKGROUND Caring for children with cancer can be a stressful experience for parents and may have negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Although evidence has shown that resilience is associated with positive psychological well-being, few interventions have been specifically designed to enhance the resilience of parents of children with cancer. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a mobile device–based resilience training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children with cancer. METHODS Parents of children diagnosed with cancer were recruited from the pediatric oncology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (52/103, 50.5%) to undergo an 8-week mobile device–based resilience training program or to the control group (51/103, 49.5%) to receive an 8-week program of placebo information. The study outcomes included resilience, depressive symptoms, and QoL, as measured by the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Short Form of the 6-Dimension Health Survey, respectively. All data were collected at baseline and at 2 and 6 months of follow-up. The data analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the intervention. RESULTS The participants were mostly female (72/103, 69.9%), and their mean age was 33.6 (SD 5.2) years. The participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of resilience (mean 67.96, SD 15.8 vs mean 58.27, SD 19.0; P<.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; P<.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (β=6.082; P=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (β=−2.772; P=.04) relative to the control group. The QoL score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 6 months of follow-up (mean 0.79, SD 0.2 vs mean 0.76, SD 0.3; P=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (β=.020; P=.38). CONCLUSIONS The mobile device–based resilience training program effectively enhanced resilience and alleviated depressive symptoms in parents of children with cancer. It is highly recommended that health care professionals incorporate this resilience training program when providing psychological care to parents of children with cancer. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical.Trials.gov NCT04038242; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04038242

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of a Mobile Device–Based Resilience Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/27639 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. e27639

Author(s):

Yuanhui Luo ◽

Wei Xia ◽

Ankie Tan Cheung ◽

Laurie Long Kwan Ho ◽

Jingping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Training Program ◽

Mobile Device ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Resilience Training ◽

Experimental Group

Background Caring for children with cancer can be a stressful experience for parents and may have negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Although evidence has shown that resilience is associated with positive psychological well-being, few interventions have been specifically designed to enhance the resilience of parents of children with cancer. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a mobile device–based resilience training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children with cancer. Methods Parents of children diagnosed with cancer were recruited from the pediatric oncology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (52/103, 50.5%) to undergo an 8-week mobile device–based resilience training program or to the control group (51/103, 49.5%) to receive an 8-week program of placebo information. The study outcomes included resilience, depressive symptoms, and QoL, as measured by the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Short Form of the 6-Dimension Health Survey, respectively. All data were collected at baseline and at 2 and 6 months of follow-up. The data analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the intervention. Results The participants were mostly female (72/103, 69.9%), and their mean age was 33.6 (SD 5.2) years. The participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of resilience (mean 67.96, SD 15.8 vs mean 58.27, SD 19.0; P<.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; P<.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (β=6.082; P=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (β=−2.772; P=.04) relative to the control group. The QoL score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 6 months of follow-up (mean 0.79, SD 0.2 vs mean 0.76, SD 0.3; P=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (β=.020; P=.38). Conclusions The mobile device–based resilience training program effectively enhanced resilience and alleviated depressive symptoms in parents of children with cancer. It is highly recommended that health care professionals incorporate this resilience training program when providing psychological care to parents of children with cancer. Trial Registration Clinical.Trials.gov NCT04038242; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04038242

Download Full-text

Contribution of Religious Coping and Social Support to the Subjective Well-Being of Israeli Muslim Parents of Children with Cancer: A Preliminary Study

Health & Social Work ◽

10.1093/hsw/hlv031 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. e83-e91 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hisham Abu-Raiya ◽

Liat Hamama ◽

Fatima Fokra

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Religious Coping ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Preliminary Study

Download Full-text

Swedish Mothers and Fathers of Children with Cancer: Perceptions of Well-Being, Social Life, and Quality Care

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology ◽

10.1080/07347332.2011.534026 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 51-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Karin Enskär ◽

Elisabeth Hamrin ◽

Marianne Carlsson ◽

Louise von Essen

Keyword(s):

Social Life ◽

Quality Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Mothers And Fathers

Download Full-text

Psychosocial outcomes among bereaved and non-bereaved parents of children with cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.9526 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 9526-9526

Author(s):

Abby R. Rosenberg ◽

Miranda Bradford ◽

Michele Shaffer ◽

Joanne Wolfe ◽

Kevin Scott Baker

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Marital Satisfaction ◽

Psychosocial Outcomes ◽

Well Being ◽

Financial Hardship ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Population Norms ◽

Bereaved Parents

9526 Background: Psychosocial outcomes among parents of children with cancer are not well characterized and may affect the well-being of cancer-survivors and other children in the home. In order to examine adverse psychosocial outcomes among bereaved (BR) and non-bereaved (NBR) parents, we conducted a cross-sectional, survey-based study. Methods: Enrolled parents completed the “Resilience in Pediatric Cancer Assessment” (RPCA) at least 6 months after their child completed therapy or died from cancer. The RPCA is comprised of validated instruments to assess resilience, emotional distress, social function, health-related quality of life, and financial hardship. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize groups. Differences between groups were assessed with t or Fisher’s exact tests. Differences between the combined sample and population norms were assessed with one-sample t or binomial tests. Results: 120 (78%) of invited parents completed the RPCA (24 BR; 96 NBR). Compared to the general population, parents had lower levels of self-perceived resilience and higher levels of psychological distress. They were more likely to meet criteria for serious, debilitating psychological distress, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). All parents (100%) endorsed at least some PTSD symptoms. Parents also reported less marital satisfaction and family cohesion, and more sleep disturbance and binge drinking than population norms. Conversely, enrolled parents reported higher levels of social support and family adaptability, and were less likely to smoke cigarettes (all p<0.05). Compared to parents of survivors, BR parents were less likely to report appreciation for life, an ability to cope, or deal with stress. They had higher levels of psychological distress, more sleep difficulties, and greater financial hardship (all p<0.05). There were no differences between BR and NBR parents with respect to marital satisfaction, family function, or perceived general health. Conclusions: Parents of children with cancer are at high risk for poor psychosocial outcomes. Compared to parents of survivors, bereaved parents are at additional risk. Interventions aimed at improving resilience and other psychosocial outcomes are needed.

Download Full-text

A Prospective, Controlled Evaluation of Home Chemotherapy for Children With Cancer

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.95.6.896 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 95 (6) ◽

pp. 896-900

Author(s):

Pamelyn Close ◽

Edith Burkey ◽

Anne Kazak ◽

Patricia Danz ◽

Beverly Lange

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

School Work ◽

Parental Time ◽

Out Of Pocket Expenses ◽

Alternative To Hospitalization ◽

At Home

Objectives. Infusion of chemotherapy at home provides an alternative to hospitalization for children with cancer. Few programs of pediatric home chemotherapy have been described or evaluated. The purpose of this work was to compare prospectively chemotherapy in the hospital to chemotherapy at home with respect to billed medical charges, out-of-pocket expenses, and quality of life. Methods. Eligibility criteria for home therapy were defined. Parents and nurses were trained. Billed charges, loss of wages, out-of-pocket expenses, medical outcome, and quality of life of 14 patients for one course of chemotherapy in the hospital were compared with those for an identical course at home. Results. Daily charges for chemotherapy were $2329 ± 627 in the hospital and $1865 ± 833 at home; out-of-pocket costs, $68 ± 31 and $11 ± 6, respectively; and loss of income, $265 ± 233 and $67 ± 107, respectively. Patients' independence, well-being, appetite, mood, and school work were significantly better at home, and parental time at work and with the family was greater. Conclusion. Administration of selected chemotherapy at home results in lower billed charges, reduced expenses, reduced loss of income for parents, and a more satisfying lifestyle for patients and parents.

Download Full-text

Reflections on the experiences of attending peer support groups for fathers of children with cancer

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/13591045211038668 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910452110386

Author(s):

Sarah-Jane Archibald ◽

Diana Luk ◽

Susan Potts ◽

Sally Davis ◽

Angela Kirby

Keyword(s):

Support Groups ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Group Structure ◽

Well Being ◽

Service Evaluation ◽

Paediatric Oncology ◽

Small Scale ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Set Up

Fathers appear to be less researched than mothers, in particular with regard to their emotional well-being during their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. This study investigates a small-scale service evaluation of a father’s support group for fathers of children with cancer in a paediatric oncology and haematology service. The group was set up in October 2017 to enable a safe and supportive reflective space for fathers of children with cancer. The group was open to fathers with a child on the ward on treatment, as well as fathers with children out of treatment, and in remission in the community. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. A number of themes are identified and discussed, including the emotional impact, ways of coping, gender roles, loss and feeling part of an oncology family. The fathers valued hearing each other’s stories about their child’s cancer diagnosis and experiences as this appeared to empower them in helping each other to feel a sense of normalisation for their feelings. They appreciated the group structure and discussed further ways for group improvement. Suggestions are made for developing services to meet emotional support needs of fathers of children with cancer.

Download Full-text

Assessing the Needs of Parents of Children Diagnosed With Cancer in China: A Psychometric Study Developing a Needs Assessment Tool

Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043454217723862 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 6-15

Author(s):

Qingying Ji ◽

Jennifer A. Currin-McCulloch ◽

Anao Zhang ◽

Calvin L. Streeter ◽

Barbara L. Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Well Being ◽

Care Providers ◽

Care Needs ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Principle Components Analysis ◽

Chinese Parents ◽

Study Results ◽

Components Analysis

The psychosocial well-being of parents remains integral to the treatment and recovery of children diagnosed with cancer. However, limited research addresses the unique needs of this population. To better understand the supportive care needs of parents of children with cancer, this study tested the reliability and stability of the factorial structure of a revised version of the Cancer Patient Needs Questionnaire (rCPNQ) with Chinese parents of children who have cancer. Analysis of the generalizability of the rCPNQ with this population was determined through principle components analysis with varimax rotation. Reliability coefficient and split sample analyses were performed to determine reliability and stability of the resulting factors. The principal components analysis resulted in a 6-dimension, 8-factor, 29-item survey. Each of the factors had Cronbach’s α ≥ .74, indicating satisfactory internal consistency and reliability of the survey with the Chinese population. Similar loadings on splitting of the samples reflects the stability of the factors. Study results provided a preliminary understanding of the needs of Chinese parents of children with cancer and demonstrated that the rCPNQ offers a reliable measure for nurses and other health care providers to partner with Chinese parents throughout their children’s treatment and survivorship to determine areas for support.

Download Full-text