scholarly journals Psychological impact of COVID-19 on parents of pediatric cancer patients

Author(s):  
antonella guido ◽  
elisa marconi ◽  
laura peruzzi ◽  
nicola di napoli ◽  
gianpiero tamburrini ◽  
...  

Background. The changes and general alarm of the current COVID-19 pandemic have amplified the sense of precariousness and vulnerability for family members who, in addition to the emotional trauma of the cancer diagnosis, add the distress and fear of the risks associated with infection. The primary objectives of the present study was to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the parents of pediatric cancer patients, and to investigate the level of stress, anxiety, and the child’s quality of life perceived by the parents during the Covid-19 epidemic. Methods. The parents of 45 consecutive children with solid and haematological tumors were enrolled. Four questionnaires (Impact of Event Scale-Revised - IES-R ; Perceived Stress Scale - PSS; Spielberger State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI-Y ; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory - PedsQL) were administered to the parents at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown. Results. 75% of parents exhibited remarkable levels of anxiety, with 60 subjects in state scale and 45 subjects in trait scale having scores that reached and exceeded the STAI-Y cut off. The bivariate matrix of correlation (Figure 1) found a strong significant positive correlation between the IES-R and PSS scores (r = 0.55, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlations between the PSS and PedsQL (emotional needs) scale (P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between IES-R and STAI-Y (P < 0.001). Conclusion. The results confirm that parents of pediatric cancer patients have a high psychological risk for post-traumatic symptoms, high stress levels, and the presence of clinically significant levels of anxiety.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Guido ◽  
Elisa Marconi ◽  
Laura Peruzzi ◽  
Nicola Dinapoli ◽  
Gianpiero Tamburrini ◽  
...  

The changes and general alarm of the current COVID-19 pandemic have amplified the sense of precariousness and vulnerability for family members who, in addition to the emotional trauma of the cancer diagnosis, add the distress and fear of the risks associated with infection. The primary objectives of the present study were to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the parents of pediatric cancer patients, and the level of stress, anxiety, and the child’s quality of life perceived by the parents during the COVID-19 epidemic. The parents of 45 consecutive children with solid and hematological tumors were enrolled. Four questionnaires (Impact of Event Scale-Revised – IES-R; Perceived Stress Scale – PSS; Spielberger State – Trait Anxiety Inventory – STAI-Y; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory – PedsQL) were administered to the parents at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown. A 75% of parents exhibited remarkable levels of anxiety, with 60 subjects in state scale and 45 subjects in trait scale having scores that reached and exceeded the STAI-Y cut off. The bivariate matrix of correlation found a significant positive correlation between the IES-R and PSS scores (r = 0.55, P &lt; 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the PSS and PedsQL (emotional needs) scale (P &lt; 0.001) and a negative correlation between IES-R and STAI-Y (P &lt; 0.001). The results confirm that parents of pediatric cancer patients have a high psychological risk for post-traumatic symptoms, high stress levels, and the presence of clinically significant levels of anxiety.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fransisca M. Sidabutar ◽  
Anggie Regia Anandari ◽  
Ingrid Karli ◽  
Yusnita Katagori ◽  
Henny E. Wirawan

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberson Tanco ◽  
Ji Chan Park ◽  
Agustina Cerana ◽  
Amy Sisson ◽  
Nikhil Sobti ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:Caregivers of cancer patients face intense demands throughout the course of the disease, survivorship, and bereavement. Caregiver burden, needs, satisfaction, quality of life, and other significant areas of caregiving are not monitored regularly in the clinic setting, resulting in a need to address the availability and clinical effectiveness of cancer caregiver distress tools. This review aimed to determine the availability of cancer caregiver instruments, the variation of instruments between different domains of distress, and that between adult and pediatric cancer patient populations.Method:A literature search was conducted using various databases from 1937 to 2013. Original articles on instruments were extracted separately if not included in the original literature search. The instruments were divided into different areas of caregiver distress and into adult versus pediatric populations. Psychometric data were also evaluated.Results:A total of 5,541 articles were reviewed, and 135 articles (2.4%) were accepted based on our inclusion criteria. Some 59 instruments were identified, which fell into the following categories: burden (n = 26, 44%); satisfaction with healthcare delivery (n = 5, 8.5%); needs (n = 14, 23.7%); quality of life (n = 9, 15.3%); and other issues (n = 5, 8.5%). The median number of items was 29 (4–125): 20/59 instruments (33.9%) had ≤20 items; 13 (22%) had ≤20 items and were psychometrically sound, with 12 of these 13 (92.3%) being self-report questionnaires. There were 44 instruments (74.6%) that measured caregiver distress for adult cancer patients and 15 (25.4%) for caregivers of pediatric patients.Significance of results:There is a significant number of cancer caregiver instruments that are self-reported, concise, and psychometrically sound, which makes them attractive for further research into their clinical use, outcomes, and effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
A.M.F. Schreurs ◽  
M.C.I. LIER ◽  
D.B.M. Koning ◽  
C.W.A. Brals ◽  
M.A. De Boer ◽  
...  

Background: Spontaneous Haemoperitoneum in Pregnancy (SHiP) is a rare, but life-threatening complication of pregnancy that occurs predominantly in the third trimester of pregnancy and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently the largest case series in literature was published describing 11 Dutch cases of SHiP in women with endometriosis. Purpose: To investigate experiences, psychological impact, and quality of life after SHiP. Methods: A mixed-methods study was performed in women with a history of SHiP and their partners, including all known cases in the Netherlands between 2007 to 2015. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were organized between 2016 and 2017 and analysed thematically with a framework approach. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires investigating the impact of the event (Impact of Event Scale) and Quality of Life (RAND-36). Results: Out of a total of 11 known cases, 7 women agreed for be individually interviewed. From these, all women described a freeze response at the moment of SHiP, combined with either an anxious reaction or a survival mode mind-set. All women received psychological help after SHiP. Still, the feeling of not being heard by the medical staff was present in all women. Other themes such as postpartum period, bonding with their child, effect on daily life, reviving the event, and future pregnancies were also identified in the interviews. In regard to their partners, 3 were interviewed, hence no saturation was achieved. Finally, the questionnaires showed lower Quality of Life and an impact score of ≥ 8/10. Conclusion: SHiP had a profound impact on women and their partners. Dedicated psychological help should be offered to all women after experiencing SHiP.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1100
Author(s):  
Irtiza N. Sheikh ◽  
Michael Roth ◽  
Peter L. Stavinoha

Sleep disturbances represent an understudied yet common source of distress among pediatric cancer patients and survivors, with deleterious effects on quality of life. Sleep issues stem from multiple risk factors, yet individual contributors are difficult to isolate, consequently impeding the identification of targets for intervention. In many pediatric cancer patients, disrupted sleep and its negative impact on quality of life continue into adulthood and may affect various functional domains. This literature review highlights the types and prevalence of sleep disturbances in pediatric cancer patients during active treatment and through survivorship. Potential etiological and risk factors for disturbed sleep are summarized, including the effects of cancer and its treatment, psychosocial and family factors, as well as individual-patient aspects, such as genetics, mood and coping skills. While existing assessment and management strategies are reviewed, the literature is incomplete, and significant gaps emerge in our understanding of sleep disturbances in pediatric cancer patients and survivors. The review concludes with recommendations of areas where further research is needed. The aims of this review include increasing clinicians’ awareness of sleep disturbances as a significant source of poor quality of life in pediatric cancer patients and survivors and directing researchers to gaps in our understanding of sleep disturbances in pediatric cancer patients and survivors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 232 (03) ◽  
pp. 136-142
Author(s):  
Johanne Katrin Luz ◽  
Julia Martini ◽  
Katharina Clever ◽  
Peter Herschbach ◽  
Holger Christiansen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent research shows that parents of children suffer from fear of progression (FoP), the fear of further disease progression. It is most possible that children also develop FoP, which could impair treatment and psychological health. The aim of this study is to adapt the adult’s version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire – Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) for children and to examine the psychometric properties in pediatric cancer patients. Patients 32 pediatric cancer patients between 10 and 18 years with different diagnoses and in different treatment states participated in this study. Method In the cross-sectional study participants completed the adapted Fear of Progression Questionnaire – Short Form for Children (FoP-Q-SF/C) and self-report measures assessing quality of life, depression, fear and coping satisfaction. Results The questionnaire (FoP-Q-SF/C) showed adequate psychometric properties (Cronbachs α=0.86) and good results for construct validity. Significant medium to large correlations of children’s FoP was observed with quality of life (r=− 0.37), depression (r=0.52), fear (r=0.33 – 0.76), and satisfaction with coping (r=− 0.44). One-fifth of the sample was classified as having high FoP with values over 37. Conclusions The FoP-Q-SF/C is a short, economic questionnaire that is applicable in children with cancer. Clinicians can use the questionnaire to explore specific fear and the need for psychosocial support. Further research for specific treatment approaches for FoP in pediatric cancer patients are warranted.


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