Neurodevelopment and Educational Outcomes for Children With Cancer: Third-Year Follow-Up

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

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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

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Does embedding anxiety-reducing strategies in the classroom improve behavioural and educational outcomes for children in Year 6?

Effective Interventions and Strategies for Pupils with SEND ◽

10.4324/9780429243318-3 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 21-31

Author(s):

Sorcha Walmsley

Keyword(s):

Educational Outcomes ◽

Outcomes For Children

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The Role of Educator Preparation Programs in Fostering Partnerships With Schools in Supporting English Language Learners, Immigrant Families, and Special Education

Advances in Early Childhood and K-12 Education - Bridging Family-Teacher Relationships for ELL and Immigrant Students ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-4712-0.ch005 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 83-99

Author(s):

Arnold Nyarambi ◽

Zandile P. Nkabinde

Keyword(s):

English Language Learners ◽

School Readiness ◽

Language Learners ◽

Educational Outcomes ◽

English Language ◽

Immigrant Families ◽

Preparation Programs ◽

Educator Preparation ◽

Outcomes For Children ◽

K 12

Teacher educator preparation programs play a central role in preparing teachers and practitioners who work with children with exceptionalities, immigrants, and English language learners (ELL), among others. Research indicates that immigrants, ELL, and children with exceptionalities benefit from effective family-professional partnerships in several ways. Family-professional relationships are also key in producing positive educational outcomes for vulnerable and children who are at-risk. The following layers of partnerships and relationships are discussed: university-based educator preparation programs (EPPs) and K-12 schools; immigrant families and K-12 schools; and teachers/caregivers in K-12 schools and immigrant children/ELL, including children with exceptionalities. The benefits of positive partnerships and relationships are discussed. These include positive educational outcomes for children and their families, positive outcomes for children's school readiness, enhanced quality of life for families and their children, family engagement in children's programs, strengthening of home-school program connection, and trust-building for all stakeholders.

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Easing of Suffering in Children With Cancer at the End of Life: Is Care Changing?

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.14.0277 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 1717-1723 ◽

Cited By ~ 189

Author(s):

Joanne Wolfe ◽

Jim F. Hammel ◽

Kelly E. Edwards ◽

Janet Duncan ◽

Michael Comeau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

End Of Life ◽

Care Service ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Symptom Control ◽

Palliative Care Service ◽

Do Not Resuscitate ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Adjusted Risk

Purpose In the past decade studies have documented substantial suffering among children dying of cancer, prompting national attention on the quality of end-of-life care and the development of a palliative care service in our institutions. We sought to determine whether national and local efforts have led to changes in patterns of care, advanced care planning, and symptom control among children with cancer at the end of life. Methods Retrospective cohort study from a US tertiary level pediatric institution. Parent survey and chart review data from 119 children who died between 1997 and 2004 (follow-up cohort) were compared with 102 children who died between 1990 and 1997 (baseline cohort). Results In the follow-up cohort, hospice discussions occurred more often (76% v 54%; adjusted risk difference [RD], 22%; P < .001) and earlier (adjusted geometric mean 52 days v 28 days before death; P = .002) compared with the baseline cohort. Do-not-resuscitate orders were also documented earlier (18 v 12 days; P = .031). Deaths in the intensive care unit or other hospitals decreased significantly (RD, 16%; P = .024). Parents reported less child suffering from pain (RD, 19%; P = .018) and dyspnea (RD, 21%; P = .020). A larger proportion of parents felt more prepared during the child's last month of life (RD, 29%; P < .001) and at the time of death (RD, 24%; P = .002). Conclusion Children dying of cancer are currently receiving care that is more consistent with optimal palliative care and according to parents, are experiencing less suffering. With ongoing growth of the field of hospice and palliative medicine, further advancements are likely.

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Improving Educational Outcomes for Children and Youths in Foster Care

Children & Schools ◽

10.1093/cs/cds040 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 59-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

T. L. Cox

Keyword(s):

Foster Care ◽

Educational Outcomes ◽

Outcomes For Children

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Experiences of Young Children With Cancer and Their Parents With Nurses’ Caring Practices During the Cancer Trajectory

Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043454219874007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 21-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karin Enskär ◽

Laura Darcy ◽

Maria Björk ◽

Susanne Knutsson ◽

Karina Huus

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Care Plan ◽

Care Providers ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Nurse Care ◽

Care Processes ◽

Care Practices ◽

Oncology Unit

Children with cancer require repeated hospitalizations and the family’s everyday life and routines undergo change. Concrete descriptions of how nurses act when caring for children with cancer throughout the various phases of care and treatment are sparsely highlighted in the literature. The aim of this study was to describe young children with cancer and their parents’ experiences of nurses’ caring practices over a 3-year period, from diagnosis to follow-up. This study is based on semistructured interviews with 25 children newly diagnosed with cancer, aged 1 to 6 years, and their parents, connected to a pediatric oncology unit in Sweden. Child and parent data were analyzed with a deductive content analysis using Swanson’s theory of caring. The result shows that nurse care practices directed toward young children with cancer and their parents are to some extent similar across a 3-year period from diagnosis to follow-up but also differ in some ways. Nurses’ caring practices aim to support children and parents in the transition to a “new normal.” Child- and family-friendly care processes include the following: creating hope and a trustful relationship, asking rather than assuming, providing knowledge and information, performing tasks skillfully, displaying an interest in the child’s and parents’ life outside the hospital, and helping the family to trust in the future and other health care providers. Based on these results, we recommend the development of a standardized and structured nursing care plan or clinical guideline with detailed information on how to carry out clinical nurse care practices in the different phases.

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School as Community: The Rough Rock Demonstration

Harvard Educational Review ◽

10.17763/haer.59.4.rq43050082176960 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 484-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

T. McCarty

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Educational Outcomes ◽

Social Economic ◽

Native Language ◽

Federal Funding ◽

Institutional Structure ◽

Governing Board ◽

Community Based ◽

Language And Culture ◽

Outcomes For Children

Teresa L. McCarty takes us to Rough Rock in the center of the Navajo Reservation, and to a bold experiment in Native American ownership of education. As the first school to be run by a locally elected, all-Indian governing board, and the first to incorporate systematically the native language and culture, it proved to be an influential demonstration of community-based transformation. McCarty describes the changes in Rough Rock's social,economic, and political structures, and examines the relation of these changes to educational outcomes for children. Further, she critiques the irony created by the larger institutional structure of federal funding, which both "enables and constrains genuine control over education by Native American communities."

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