Brief Report: Children's Response to Serious Illness: Perceptions of Benefit and Burden in a Pediatric Cancer Population

Currier, Joseph M.; Hermes, Susan Skees; Phipps, Sean

doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp021

Cited by 102 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Studies could also be improved by using existing theoretical models to develop hypotheses about children's response to genetic information about health. [62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72] Including less extensively studied concepts such as benefit finding, [63][64][65] hoped for and feared possible selves, 66,67 adaptive coping, 63,68 resilience traits, 69 and communal coping responses 70 may lead to a richer understanding of children's testing experienced. Furthermore, research that examines the translational potential of genomic or genetic testing of children (e.g., studies assessing methods for communicating test results, approaches for the use of testing in clinical settings, and influences of testing on health or health behavior outcomes) should be considered alongside psychosocial effects so as to make possible a balanced risk/benefit analysis before the test implementation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of genetic risk information on children's psychosocial wellbeing: A systematic review of the literature

Wade

Wilfond

McBride

2010

Genetics in Medicine

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Purpose: As advances in research have made a growing number of genetic tests available, clinicians will increasingly be faced with making decisions about when offering genetic testing services to children is appropriate. A key factor in such decisions involves determining whether knowledge of genetic health risks might have an impact on children's psychosocial wellbeing. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature using five online databases to identify studies that assessed the impact of communicating nondiagnostic carrier or presymptomatic genetic test results to children. Results: A total of 17 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. These studies used a wide range of methodologies to explore carrier and predictive testing. Although there was little quantitative evidence that receiving genetic test results led to a significant impact on children's psychosocial wellbeing, it was found that methodological inconsistencies, small samples, and reliance on assessments most appropriate for psychopathology make any firm conclusions about the impact of genetic testing on children premature. Conclusion: Currently, there is insufficient evidence to inform a nuanced understanding of how children respond to genetic testing. This suggests a strong need for further research that uses rigorous approaches to address children's emotional states, self-perception, and social wellbeing. Genet Med 2010:12(6):317-326.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of genetic risk information on children's psychosocial wellbeing: A systematic review of the literature

Wade

Wilfond

McBride

2010

Genetics in Medicine

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“…For instance, Phipps and colleagues (2007) reported that BF was unrelated to PTSD, global quality of life and pessimism. Moreover, other studies showed that BF was also unrelated to anxiety (Currier et al, 2009;Helgeson et al, 2006), depressive symptoms (Currier et al, 2009;Vaughn, Roesch, & Aldridge, 2009) and aggressive beliefs . In sum, the relation between BF and measures of psychological distress is still controversial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Most of these constructs have been broadly studied in adults (for review, see Helgeson et al, 2006), but less so in pediatric research. Although some previous studies included some of these constructs (Currier et al, 2009;Phipps et al, 2007;Hedström, Skolin & von Essen, 2004), their association with BF is still poorly understood.…”

Section: Benefit Finding and Well-being In Children With Life Threatementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research on the role of benefit finding (BF) in adaptation to a serious illness has largely focused on adult patients, with only a few pediatric studies (Phipps, Steele, Hall and Leigh, 2001;Barakat, Alderfer, & Kazak, 2006;Phipps et al, 2007;Currier, Hermes, & Phipps, 2009;Meyerson, Grant, Carter & Klimer, 2011). The construct of BF would appear particularly salient to children with a life threatening illness, given the different pathways in which BF may improve physical and psychological health (Bower, Moskowitz & Epel, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As for the relationship with psychological variables, BF is associated to dispositional optimism Currier et al, 2009) and self-esteem . BF also generates changes in patient's perceptions of future stressors (appraisal processes), their ability to manage these stressors (coping strategies and resources), their relationships with others, and/or their priorities and goals (Bower et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benefit finding and well-being in children with life threatening illnesses: An integrative study

2013

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Objective. We examined whether benefit finding (BF) in children with a life-threatening illness (such as cancer or organ transplantation) would be related to a wide range of positive and negative measures of psychological functioning and some medical variables. Methods. A sample of children with a life threatening illness (N=67, ages 7-18 years) completed the Benefit Finding Scale for Children (BFSC) and other positive and negative measures of psychological functioning. Results. Children exposed to a moderate severity of their disease had the strongest levels of BF. While BF was positively associated with different dimensions of well-being, it was generally not related to distress with some exceptions in the health-related quality of life domain. Conclusion. Our results showed that BF reflects a positive outcome in its own right and not just a mere reduction of distress. Yet, there are some health-related domains of quality of life that should be considered in therapeutic intervention to facilitate BF. Key words: benefit finding, childhood cancer, optimism, positive affect, personal strenghts. ResumenObjetivo. Examinamos en qué medida la percepción de beneficios o benefit finding (BF) en niños con una enfermedad amenazante para la vida (como el cáncer o el trasplante de órganos) estaría relacionado con un rango de medidas positivas y negativas de funcionamiento psicológico así como con algunas variables médicas. Método. Una muestra de niños con una enfermedad amenazante para la vida (N=67, edad entre 7 y 18 años) completaron la Escala de Percepción de Beneficios para Niños (Benefit Finding Scale for Children, BFSC) y otras medidas positivas y negativas de funcionamiento psicológico. Resultados. Los niños expuestos a una enfermedad de gravedad moderada mostraron niveles más altos de BF. BF se asoció positivamente a diferentes dimensiones de bienestar. Sin embargo, no se encontró relación con medidas de malestar, a excepción de algunos dominios de calidad de vida relacionados con la enfermedad. Conclusión. Estos resultados mostraron que el BF refleja un resultado positivo en sí mismo y no una mera reducción de malestar. A pesar de eso, deben considerarse algunos dominios de calidad de vida relacionados con la salud a la hora de realizar intervenciones terapéuticas para facilitar la percepción de beneficios. Palabras clave: percepción de beneficios, cáncer infantil, optimismo, afecto positivo, fortalezas personales.

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Child Health Psychology

Barakat

Hocking

Kazak

2012

Handbook of Psychology, Second Edition

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Brief Report: Children's Response to Serious Illness: Perceptions of Benefit and Burden in a Pediatric Cancer Population

Cited by 102 publications

References 18 publications

Effects of genetic risk information on children's psychosocial wellbeing: A systematic review of the literature

Effects of genetic risk information on children's psychosocial wellbeing: A systematic review of the literature

Benefit finding and well-being in children with life threatening illnesses: An integrative study

Child Health Psychology

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