Couple functioning after pediatric cancer diagnosis: a systematic review

Schoors, Marieke Van; Caes, Line; Alderfer, Melissa A.; Goubert, Liesbet; Verhofstadt, Lesley

doi:10.1002/pon.4204

Cited by 30 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…The impact of childhood cancer on parents and their marital relationship is evident, and some studies have advocated for an enhanced attention for it in routine pediatric care . In our research, we aimed for a better understanding of the perspectives and experiences of parents and professionals at child oncology departments related to the attention given to parents and their marital relationship.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A child's cancer diagnosis and oncological treatment have significant impact on the child's parents . Reviews focusing on the effect of childhood cancer on the parents' marital satisfaction found both positive and negative changes. A growing body of literature emphasizes the importance of assessing relationship quality as part of routine psychological care throughout the treatment trajectory .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“The child is our focus”: On couple issues in child oncology treatment

et al. 2018

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During treatment, the child is the primary focus for parents and professionals. The parents' focus on supporting their child makes talking about their own emotions or about issues in the partner relationship potentially disruptive and unhelpful. Therefore, it is crucial for professionals to support the parents in their parents' role, but with an openness to converse about issues in the partner relationship at the moments when these issues might threaten their focus on the child.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“The child is our focus”: On couple issues in child oncology treatment

et al. 2018

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“…Finally, other important variables explaining parents’ psychological functioning may have been absent in our model. Considering the impact of pediatric cancer on the marital subsystem (Schoors, Caes, Alderfer, Goubert, & Verhofstadt, ), future research addressing the role of the couple's relationship satisfaction on the links between family's condition management and psychological distress would be particularly illuminating. Parenting satisfaction is, thus, one of the possible mediators of the links between family condition management and parental depression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family Management of Pediatric Cancer: Links with Parenting Satisfaction and Psychological Distress

2018

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Research has long acknowledged the disruptions posed by pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment to family life. Nonetheless, the mechanisms through which the family response influences parents' mental health in this adverse context are not fully understood. The main goal of the present study was to examine the direct and indirect links, via parenting satisfaction, between family condition management and psychological distress of parents of children with cancer. Participants were 201 parents (86.6% mothers) of children/adolescents diagnosed with cancer who completed self-report questionnaires assessing family condition management (family life difficulty and parental mutuality), parenting satisfaction, and psychological distress (anxiety and depression). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation model. The results showed that parenting satisfaction mediated the association between both the family condition management dimensions (family life difficulty and parental mutuality) and depression. Specifically, greater family life difficulties and lower parental mutuality were associated with lower parenting satisfaction, which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of depression. Additionally, greater family life difficulties and lower parental mutuality were directly linked to higher levels of anxiety. Multigroup analyses suggested that the model was valid across patient age groups (children vs. adolescents) and treatment status (on vs. off-treatment). These findings reinforce the need for family- and parent-based interventions in the pediatric oncology field. Interventions that target families' difficulties and promote their resources are likely to foster parenting satisfaction and psychological adjustment.

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“…Parents of children with cancer experience a broad range of psychosocial and socioeconomic disadvantages during the child's acute treatment phase and early survivorship . However, little is known about the disadvantages experienced many years after the child's treatment is completed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[14][15][16][17] Parents of children with cancer experience a broad range of psychosocial and socioeconomic disadvantages during the child's acute treatment phase and early survivorship. 11,12,[20][21][22][23][24] However, little is known about the disadvantages experienced many years after the child's treatment is completed. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the support needs of CCS' parents in Switzerland are met with standard care and if there are subgroups which require additional support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I wish someone had once asked me how I'm doing”: Disadvantages and support needs faced by parents of long‐term childhood cancer survivors

Christen

Mader

Baenziger

et al. 2019

Pediatric Blood & Cancer

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Background Childhood cancer affects the whole family and can have a lasting impact on parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We aimed to (1) describe parents’ perspective of currently experienced disadvantages and of their support needs during treatment, after treatment, and today; (2) identify characteristics associated with disadvantages and support needs; and (3) describe the use of existing support services. Procedure In this population‐based study, we identified parents of CCS (diagnosed ≤16 years of age, ≥5 years since diagnosis, aged ≥20 years at study) through the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR). Parents completed a questionnaire on perceived disadvantages (e.g., job‐related, financial, etc.), support needs (e.g., job‐related, financial, etc.), and socio‐demographics. Cancer‐related characteristics were available from the SCCR. We used multivariable multilevel logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with disadvantages and support needs. Results An average of 24 years after diagnosis, one‐fifth of parents (n = 59/308; 19.2%) reported disadvantages, and 7.1% reported support needs. Many parents had desired more support during (66.9%) or after (34.4%) their child's cancer treatment. Parents whose child experienced late effects (OR = 26.6; 95% CI, 2.9–241.0) or was dependent on parents (OR = 10.6; 95% CI, 2.1–53.7) reported greater current need for more support. Almost half of parents (43.5%) reported having used existing support services. Conclusions Many parents need more support during and after active treatment of their child's cancer, and some experience support needs and disadvantages long into survivorship. Better promotion of existing services for parental and familial support and setting up new services, where needed, may help parents in the long term.

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Couple functioning after pediatric cancer diagnosis: a systematic review

Cited by 30 publications

References 67 publications

“The child is our focus”: On couple issues in child oncology treatment

“The child is our focus”: On couple issues in child oncology treatment

Family Management of Pediatric Cancer: Links with Parenting Satisfaction and Psychological Distress

“I wish someone had once asked me how I'm doing”: Disadvantages and support needs faced by parents of long‐term childhood cancer survivors

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