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Parental adjustment following their child's completion of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment
Author(s) -
McCarthy Maria C.,
Marks India R.,
Mulraney Melissa,
Downie Peter,
Matson Alice,
De Luca Cinzia R.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.29302
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , anxiety , pediatric cancer , distress , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , psychiatry , cancer , economics , macroeconomics
Background Few studies haveexamined parent and family adaptation in the early period following the end of childhood cancer treatment. We examined parent adjustment at the end of their child's treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods Parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCS), who were 3 months post‐ALL treatment, and parents of typically developing children completed measures of psychological and family functioning. Parents of CCS also completed distress and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) questionnaires related to their child's cancer experience. Results One hundred twenty‐nine parents were recruited: 77 parents of CCS and 52 comparison parents. Overall mean psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and family functioning were within normal limits for both groups. Parents of CCS endorsed higher scores for stress, depression, and family problems; however, mean scores for emotional distress were low for both groups, in particular the comparison group. Parents of CCS endorsed low rates of PTSS. Fifty‐one percent of parents of CCS scored above the distress thermometer (DT‐P) clinical cutoff (>4), with items elevated across all six DT‐P domains. However, most parents did not indicate a wish to speak to a health professional about their symptoms. Conclusion Specialist psychosocial intervention may be indicated for only a subset of parents at the end of treatment. As per psychosocial standards of care, effective screening at this timepoint is warranted. Further examination of appropriate timing of psychosocial information and support services that are tailored to parents’ circumstances is needed. eHealth approaches may be appropriate.