Long-term coping in childhood cancer survivors--influence of illness, treatment and demographic factors

Anticipatory grieving among parents living with a child with cancer

AIM

This paper is a report of a comparative study of anticipatory grief of parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer and those whose children were diagnosed 6-12 months earlier.

BACKGROUND

Public perceptions of cancer as a fatal illness persist despite improved prognosis for children. Parents may experience feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness - the most common psychological expressions of anticipatory grief. With a focus on developing more effective therapeutic intervention, healthcare professionals have developed greater interest in the concept of anticipatory grief.

METHOD

One hundred and forty parents, divided between 'newly diagnosed' and '6-12 months after diagnosis' groups, were recruited in 2006 from two hospitals representative of the healthcare sector in Jordan. Structured interviews were conducted to assess anticipatory grief, using the Marwit and Meuser Caregiver Inventory: Childhood Cancer. Analysis was performed using t-tests.

RESULTS

Fewer than half of the parents in both groups reported being at peace with themselves and their situation in life. Parents of newly diagnosed children reported more severe anticipatory grief responses than those in the second group. No statistically significant differences were found in responses between mothers and fathers.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare professionals should encourage parents to discuss negative feelings related to their child's illness and potential outcome. Hospital policies need to include the provision and promotion of support group services for parents, and nurses should encourage parents to exploit such services.

Gender differences of parental distress in children with cancer

BACKGROUND

Reports published over the last few decades present contradictory findings about the psychological distress and coping patterns of parents whose children have cancer. Although an increasing number of studies have focused on psychological distress and the adjustment process that parents experience when their children are diagnosed with cancer, few of these studies have been conducted in Taiwan.

AIMS

Gender differences of parental distress experienced by Taiwanese mothers and fathers (164 couples) whose children were undergoing treatment for cancer were investigated.

METHODS

Parenting stress, psychological distress, somatization, as well as marital satisfaction were compared between mothers and fathers whose children had cancer.

RESULTS

Mothers averaged significantly higher levels than fathers for all forms of distress. Mothers and fathers whose children had been diagnosed within the previous 2 months reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and global stress than those in the other groups. Both mothers and fathers whose children had been diagnosed within the past 2 months reported greater marital dissatisfaction than parents whose children were in the other treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This finding indicates the need for a thorough psychiatric consultation at the time of diagnosis for children who have cancer and their families. Ongoing psychosocial support and education should have been integral components of the treatment program when relapse occurred.