scholarly journals Examination of Fatigue, Well-Being and Life Habits in Children with Cancer Diagnosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-449
Author(s):  
Sümeyye SEVGİLİ ◽  
Sedef ŞAHİN ◽  
Burcu Semin AKEL
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Life Habits

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

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.

Pretend Play as an Intervention for Children With Cancer: A Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75
Author(s):  
Sara Frygner-Holm ◽  
Sandra Russ ◽  
Julia Quitmann ◽  
Lena Ring ◽  
Olena Zyga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Pretend Play ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Play Intervention ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Before And After

Children with cancer suffer from symptoms and burdensome treatments that often cause distress to children and their families. Mortality is one aspect of cancer diagnosis, while another is the quality of life and well-being during and after the treatment. By supporting children’s communication, self-efficacy and coping ability in the care situation, children are given the possibilities for increased independence and participation and are allowed to develop an influence over their care. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an adult-facilitated pretend play intervention for children with cancer. Five children with ongoing treatment for cancer were invited to a play intervention that consisted of six to eight sessions of structured pretend play aimed at increasing participation, independence, and well-being. A mixed method design was used to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the play intervention. Measures were collected before and after interventions, and in conjunction with every play session. Results suggest that the children enjoyed the play intervention. Findings indicate small improvements regarding self-efficacy in care situations and equal or increased quality of life for participants. A main finding was that no adverse events or increased worrying was reported in conjunction with play sessions. Therefore, the intervention is regarded as safe, feasible, and acceptable as reported by participants and their primary caregivers and a possible means of increasing participation and independence in children with a cancer diagnosis.

Relationships between resilience and quality of life in parents of children with cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532199080
Author(s):  
Y. H. Luo ◽  
W. H. C. Li ◽  
A. T. Cheung ◽  
L. L. K. Ho ◽  
W. Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals

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

Uncertain crisis time affects psychosocial dimensions in beta-thalassemia patients during Covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532110499
Author(s):  
Chiara Cerami ◽  
Gaia Chiara Santi ◽  
Irene Sammartano ◽  
Zelia Borsellino ◽  
Liana Cuccia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Habits ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Psychosocial variables are key factors influencing the delicate equilibrium of chronic patients during crisis time. In this study, we explored distress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, coping strategies, and changes in life habits in 43 beta-thalassemia patients and 86 controls during Covid-19 pandemic. Patients showed higher anxiety levels and a predominant transcendent coping profile compared to controls. Patients significantly differed from controls in outdoor habits. Social isolation and habits changes in uncertain life-threaten situations as Covid-19 pandemic are particularly detrimental in fragile beta-thalassemia patients. Structured support interventions are needed to promote well-being in the Covid-19 era.

scholarly journals 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)

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; <i>P</i><.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; <i>P</i><.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (<i>β</i>=6.082; <i>P</i>=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (<i>β</i>=−2.772; <i>P</i>=.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; <i>P</i>=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (<i>β</i>=.020; <i>P</i>=.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

scholarly journals 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

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

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Emotional and Cognitive Vulnerability in Iranian Women With Breast Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad H. Choobin ◽  
Vida Mirabolfathi ◽  
Bethany Chapman ◽  
Ali Reza Moradi ◽  
Elizabeth A. Grunfeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Cognitive Vulnerability ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Emotional Vulnerability ◽  
The Impact

The psychological cost on emotional well-being due to the collateral damage brought about by COVID-19 in accessing oncological services for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has been documented by recent studies in the United Kingdom. The current study set out to examine the effect of delays to scheduled oncology services on emotional and cognitive vulnerability in women with a breast cancer diagnosis in Iran, one of the very first countries to be heavily impacted by COVID-19. One hundred thirty-nine women with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer answered a series of online questionnaires to assess the current state of rumination, worry, and cognitive vulnerability as well as the emotional impact of COVID-19 on their mental health. Results indicated that delays in accessing oncology services significantly increased COVID related emotional vulnerability. Regression analyses revealed that after controlling for the effects of sociodemographic and clinical variables, women’s COVID related emotional vulnerability explained higher levels of ruminative response and chronic worry as well as poorer cognitive function. This study is the first in Iran to demonstrate that the effects of COVID-19 on emotional health amongst women affected by breast cancer can exaggerate anxiety and depressive related symptoms increasing risks for clinical levels of these disorders. Our findings call for an urgent need to address these risks using targeted interventions exercising resilience.

scholarly journals Considering Patients’ Mental Capacity When Giving Them Bad News May Help Their Well-Being: A Case of Suicide Attempt after Being Informed of Lung Cancer Diagnosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Kobayashi ◽  
Satoshi Kato ◽  
Mitsuo Takeuchi
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Capacity ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Lung Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer ◽  
Mental Well Being

Mental capacity is a central determinant of patients’ ability to make autonomous decisions about their care and deal with bad news. Physicians should be cognizant of this when giving patients bad news in efforts to help them to cope with the illness and to avoid a deterioration of their mental well-being. To show the importance of this concept, a case of suicide attempt with lung cancer is exemplified. A 76-year-old woman attempted suicide after receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer. Her recent life had been emotionally turbulent and she did not have sufficient mental capacity to accept and cope with this truth. She developed depression before attempting suicide.

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