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Psychological distress and coping strategies in parents of children with cancer in Lebanon
Author(s) -
Lakkis Najla A.,
Khoury Joseph M.,
Mahmassani Dina M.,
Ramia Maria S.,
Hamadeh Ghassan N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3934
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , stressor , social support , general health questionnaire , distress , clinical psychology , disease , population , bivariate analysis , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , mental health , environmental health , social psychology , statistics , mathematics , pathology
Objectives To determine the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) among parents of Lebanese children with cancer and to investigate the associated stressors and coping strategies. Methods A cross‐sectional study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center–Children Cancer Center of Lebanon in 2012. Parents of all children with cancer admitted for treatment were eligible participants. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) was used to estimate the prevalence of PD. Coping strategies were measured via the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between GHQ‐12 (scores 0–36), stressors, family/social support, and coping strategies. Results One hundred fourteen parents (68.2%) completed the anonymous questionnaire. Based on GHQ‐12, significant PD was considered among 56.0% of the parents. It was found to be significantly positively associated with the degree of family financial problems and significantly negatively associated with the child's disease duration. A significant negative relationship was also found between PD and Coping (CHIP) scale, coping pattern I (Maintaining Family Integration and an Optimistic Outlook for the Situation), pattern II (Seeking Social Support), yet not with pattern III (Seeking Information). Conclusions PD is prevalent among parents of Lebanese children hospitalized because of cancer. Screening for PD in the latter population is feasible, would identify those who are at risk for disruptive PD, and facilitate the provision of support towards better adjustment and coping. Alleviating parental PD may facilitate the realization of optimal health outcomes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.