Depression and associated factors among parents of children diagnosed with cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundThe global cancer burden is estimated to have risen to 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths in 2018. The period of child's diagnosis negatively influences parents socially and psychologically leading to depression.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of depression, its associated factors and parent's experience towards care of their cancer diagnosed child.MethodsA mixed approach quantitative and qualitative cross‐sectional study was employed between 15 March and 1 April 2017. Systematic random sampling involving 275 participants in the quantitative and 20 conveniently selected participants for qualitative study were included in the study. Beck's depression inventory scale was used to collect data. Logistic regression including bivariate and multivariate analysis considering 95% confidence interval (CI) was utilized to examine association between dependent and independent variables. P‐value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.ResultsThe prevalence of depression among parents was 72.4%, with depression levels of: borderline 7.3%, moderate 6.2%, severe 6.5%, and extreme severe depression 3.3%. Single parenting, income, history of depression, and support source were associated with parental depression (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 6.21; 95% CI: 2.66‐14.52), (AOR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.02‐0.86), (AOR = 8; 95% CI: 1.7‐37.4), (AOR = 38; 95% CI: 2.6‐560), respectively.ConclusionFamily income, single parenting, and support sources are determinant factors for parental depression in this study. Nurses should early detect parents at risk and give due attention to reduce the risk of depression.

The effect of physical and psychosocial symptoms on caregiver burden of parents of children with cancer

“…Among the psychological symptoms of more than half of the parents, depression and trait anxiety levels were moderate, and social support was above the average score. In the current literature, the depression levels of the parents of children diagnosed with cancer were similar to our study (Boztepe et al, 2019;Mekonnen et al, 2020). In the study of Peterson et al (2020), they examined the change in emotional symptoms in the 6-month period in caregivers of children with newly diagnosed leukaemia and solid tumours; it is observed that the parents of children with leukaemia and solid tumours have borderline anxiety levels at the time of diagnosis, while parents of children with solid tumours continue to have borderline anxiety levels at the time of diagnosis and 6 months later (Peterson et al, 2020).…”

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders of Parents of Children with Cancer

“…These stages are consistent with the stages of grief described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and discussed in her book titled On Death and Dying [ 32 ]. Prolonged negative emotional responses influence the development of an increased sense of hopelessness [ 25 , 33 , 34 ], and the occurrence of anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and even PTSD [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasms in Children as a Factor Inducing Negative Emotions and Toxic Stress in Parents

“…The factors which contribute to women’s resignation from their professional career include the need to perform the role of mother, a patriarchal social system and the earnings, which are frequently lower than in the case of men. At the same time, mothers who become an important part of a therapeutic team are more vulnerable to emotional and physical overload as compared to fathers [ 5 ]. Although Pinquart [ 33 ] and Baters [ 28 ] indicated a higher level of perceived stress in women as compared to men, Rahmani et al [ 4 ] did not find any significant differences in the incidence of negative emotions depending on parents’ gender.…”

“…Although Pinquart [ 33 ] and Baters [ 28 ] indicated a higher level of perceived stress in women as compared to men, Rahmani et al [ 4 ] did not find any significant differences in the incidence of negative emotions depending on parents’ gender. On the other hand, the meta-analysis of van Warmerdam [ 34 ] and the study conducted by Mekonnen [ 5 ] may lead to a conclusion that there are also other factors which may be responsible for the onset of depression such as single parenthood or lack of support [ 5 ]. The current study did not assess these variables.…”

“…They are confronted with the danger which their children’s lives are exposed to and they experience fear and anxiety when the side effects of the treatment appear. Not only do they experience a mental burden but also, their child’s illness affects the relationship between them [ 5 , 6 ] including their intimate life [ 7 ]. Moreover, parents have to struggle with financial problems and their professional career may be destabilized.…”