Maternal and Paternal Influences on Children’s Coping with Cancer-Related Stress

Abstract

Childhood cancer is a significant source of stress for children and families, and children’s coping with cancer-related stress is a key predictor of emotional adjustment. To extend understanding of the determinants of children’s coping with cancer-related stress, this study examined whether mothers’ and fathers’ functioning after their child’s diagnosis—including coping and depressive symptoms—is predictive of children’s coping over time. Participants included 166 children (Mage = 13.47, SD = 2.47, 51.2% female), 161 mothers, and 83 fathers. Approximately two months post-diagnosis (T1), parents reported on their coping and depressive symptoms. At T1 and approximately 12 months later (T2), children reported on their coping. Results indicated that mothers’ coping and depressive symptoms were correlated with children’s coping at T1; fathers’ coping and depressive symptoms were generally not associated with children’s coping at T1. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that fathers’ secondary control coping (i.e., coping aimed at adapting to cancer-related stress) predicted higher levels of secondary control coping in children over time. Mothers’ depressive symptoms predicted lower levels of secondary control coping over time in girls, and fathers’ depressive symptoms predicted lower levels of secondary control coping over time across sex. Parents’ functioning after their child’s cancer diagnosis may shape how children cope with cancer-related stress. Parents’ coping and depressive symptoms may be important targets for interventions aiming to promote positive adjustment in children with cancer.

The psychological impact on family caregivers of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia

“…Uncertainties related to the experience of dealing with a chronic disease in childhood and adolescence have been predictors of suffering, anxiety and depression for parents (Monti et at., 2017;Pai et al, 2007). Anxiety and depression are understood as emotional problems, with different symptoms, with depression being understood as a clinical disorder characterized by depressed mood; anxiety, on the other hand, is characterized by the presence of excessive and uncontrollable concerns about different aspects of life (Cunha, 2001).…”

“…Findings about predictors of anxiety and depression in chronic disease are relevant, since depressive symptoms in parents can limit their resources for teaching coping strategies for the child to effectively deal with chronic disease (Monti et al, 2017). In the context of chronic diseases, some findings have shown that mothers with depression are less able to suggest adaptive coping strategies to their children (Monti et al, 2017); and that parents in this emotional context may find it more difficult to assist their children in managing disease-related stress (Alves, Guirardello, & Kurashima, 2013), may be less responsive to their children's needs and more disconnected with them (Lovejoy, Graczyk, O'Hare, & Neuman, 2000). It is understood, therefore, that emotional variables, such as anxiety and depression of parents or legal guardians, can negatively interfere in the development of children and adolescents affected with a chronic disease, such as sickle cell anemia (Kazak et al, 2003).…”

Socialization of Coping in Pediatric Oncology Settings: Theoretical Consideration on Parent–Child Connections in Posttraumatic Growth

“…Murphy et al (2017) found that maternal positive emotionality predicts positive emotionality and lower levels of PTSSs in the child. The effect of parental well-being on child coping with cancer has been empirically supported by Monti et al (2017) as well. This study suggests positive child adjustment to cancer may be promoted through interventions targeting parent's own psychosocial functioning, especially their own coping and depressive symptoms.…”

“…This study suggests positive child adjustment to cancer may be promoted through interventions targeting parent's own psychosocial functioning, especially their own coping and depressive symptoms. Moreover, Monti et al (2017) found that the parent-child association in coping may be time-specific. Mother-child association in coping emerges earlier with more immediate effect, whereas father-child association emerges later with the effect unfolding over time.…”

“…Better child adjustment is connected to greater family cohesion, support, expressiveness, and less conflict (Van Schoors et al, 2017). The role of parental factors has been studied in connection with child cancer-related PTSSs (e.g., Okado et al, 2014;Monti et al, 2017;Racine et al, 2018). However, our knowledge is limited when it comes to the parents' ability to foster PTG in their child and to the association between parental PTG and the child's PTG.…”