Moscato EL, Albee MV, Anil A, Hocking MC. The interaction of family functioning and disease- and treatment-related factors on quality of life for children after cancer.
J Psychosoc Oncol 2024:1-13. [PMID:
38831549 DOI:
10.1080/07347332.2024.2354298]
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Abstract
PURPOSE
Children with cancer experience low quality of life (QOL), yet heterogeneity underscores a need to understand how risk and resilience factors interact. This study evaluated if family functioning relates to QOL differentially depending on diagnosis and treatment intensity.
METHODS
Participants included children (ages 8-14) who completed treatment within six months for either brain tumor (BT; n = 42) or non-central nervous system solid tumor (ST; n = 29). Caregivers and children rated QOL and family functioning. Treatment intensity was categorized as low, moderate, or high. Cross-informant moderation models tested hypothesized interactions.
RESULTS
Child-reported family functioning significantly interacted with diagnosis and treatment intensity in models of caregiver-reported QOL. More maladaptive family functioning was associated with reduced QOL for children with BT and moderately-intense treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
Children with BT and moderate treatment intensities are sensitive to family functioning, highlighting an at-risk group to target for family-level intervention. Future work should evaluate these associations longitudinally.
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