No abstract

No abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a cancer parenting program for child-rearing mothers with breast cancer, the Enhancing Connections Program. Primary goals were to decrease maternal depressed mood and anxiety, improve parenting quality, parenting skills and confidence, and enhance the child’s behavioral-emotional adjustment to maternal breast cancer. Method A total of 176 mothers diagnosed within 6 months with Stage 0–III breast cancer and their 8–12 year old child were recruited from medical providers in 6 states: Washington, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Arizona and Indiana. After consenting and obtaining baseline measures, study participants were randomized into experimental or control groups. Experimental mothers received five, 1-hour educational counseling sessions at 2- week intervals; controls received a booklet and phone call on communicating and supporting their child about the mother’s cancer. Outcomes were assessed at 2 and 12 months. Results Compared to controls, at 2 months experimental mothers significantly improved on depressed mood and parenting skills; experimental children improved on behavioral-emotional adjustment: total behavior problems, externalizing problems, and anxiety/depressed mood significantly declined. At 1 year, experimental children remained significantly less depressed than controls on both mother- and child-reported measures. The intervention failed to significantly affect parenting self-efficacy or maternal anxiety. Conclusions The Enhancing Connections Program benefitted mothers and children in specific areas and warrants refinement and further testing.

In 2005, approximately 211,240 women in the US will be diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and an estimated 22% will be child rearing. Research reveals that both mothers and children have elevated distress attributed to the cancer; struggle with how to talk about and deal with the impact of the cancer; and both fear the mother will die. The Enhancing Connections Program (EC) was developed to reduce this cancer-related distress and morbidity. The program involves five, 1-hour educational counseling sessions delivered at 2-week intervals by specially trained clinicians. This study reports on the program's short-term impact on mothers' and children's adjustment. Thirteen households were recruited within 7.5 months of the mother's diagnosis with early stage breast cancer. Impact was evaluated within a single group design using data obtained from standardized questionnaires with established reliability and validity. Results revealed significant improvements in the mother's depressed mood, anxiety, and self-confidence to assist her child (mother report). There were also significant decreases in the child's behavioral problems (mother and father report); the child's cancer-related worries (child report); and the child's anxiety/depressed mood (mother and father report). Further evaluation is warranted within a clinical trial.

Sleep was not altered in children with active JRA, however, the "first night effect" suggests that valid laboratory sleep assessments require an adaptation night.