Mother-Child Communication and Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Families of Children With Cancer: Integrating Macro and Micro Levels of Analysis

Rodríguez, Erin M.; Dunn, Madeleine J.; Zuckerman, Teddi; Hughart, Leighann; Vannatta, Kathryn; Gerhardt, Cynthia A.; Saylor, Megan M.; Schuele, C. Melanie; Compas, Bruce E.

doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jst018

Cited by 31 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Second, similar to a previous study, which reported that approximately 45% of the mothers of pediatric cancer patients meet the criteria for clinical depression [14], approximately 51% of the caregivers in our study experienced clinically significant depression during their children's treatment periods. We found that caregivers with depression experienced significantly more distress compared to caregivers without depression.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…In a study of children in active treatment for brain or bone tumors, 72% of their parents reported depressive symptoms [13]. Additionally, depressed parents tend to be less warm, supportive, and responsive and more hostile towards their child with cancer; in contrast, the absence of depression has been found to predict parents' optimism [14,15]. Depressed parents may be more vulnerable when adjusting to their child's cancer and to various conflicts that might arise.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Depression and distress in caregivers of children with brain tumors undergoing treatment: psychosocial factors as moderators

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression and distress in caregivers of children with brain tumors undergoing treatment: psychosocial factors as moderators

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Participants were grouped into four depressive symptom categories based on their BDI-II score: (1) No to Minimal (0–13), (2) Mild (14–19), (3) Moderate (20–28), and (4) Severe (29–63).This scoring method is recommended by the test authors as a means of minimizing false negatives (Beck). Previous studies in samples with chronic conditions also have used this scoring system (Carney, Ulmer, Edinger, Krystal, & Knauss, 2009; Gannotti, Minter, Chambers, Smith, & Tylkowski, 2011; Rodriguez et al, 2013). “No to Minimal” was used as the reference category.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depressive symptoms in adults with spina bifida.

Dicianno¹,

Kinback²,

Bellin³

et al. 2015

Rehabilitation Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose/Objective To examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adults with spina bifida and identify contributing factors for depressive symptomatology. Research Method/Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Data collection was conducted at a regional adult spina bifida clinic. A total of 190 charts from adult patients with spina bifida were included. The main outcome measures were the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the mobility domain of the Craig Handicap Assessment Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF). Results Of the 190 participants, 49 (25.8%) had BDI-II scores (14+) indicative of depressive symptomatology. Sixty-nine (36.3%) of all participants were on antidepressants for the purpose of treating depressive symptoms, and 31 (63.3%) of those with clinical symptoms of depression were on antidepressants. The total number of participants with a history of depressive symptoms may be as high as 45.7% if both participants with BDI-II scores 14+ and those with antidepressant use specifically for the purposes of depression treatment are combined. In this population, lower CHART-SF mobility score, expressing “emotional concerns” as a reason for the visit on an intake sheet, and use of antidepressant medications were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions/Implications Depressive symptomatology appears to be common and undertreated in this cohort of adults with spina bifida, which may warrant screening for emotional concerns in routine clinic appointments. Significant depressive symptoms are associated with fewer hours out of bed and fewer days leaving the house. Additional research is needed to assess the impact of interventions directed towards mobility on depression and in the treatment of depression in this patient population.

show abstract

“…maintaining the same topic as the child, maternal reflections on children's contributions to the illness-related discussion). 81 Mothers with more symptoms of depression were rated by observers as having a more negative communication style and were less warm, supportive and responsive when interacting with their child. 81…”

Section: Parental Emotional Wellbeingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication with children and adolescents about the diagnosis of their own life-threatening condition

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

When a child is diagnosed with a life threatening condition, one of the most challenging tasks facing healthcare professionals is to communicate this to the child, as well as to their parents or caregivers. Evidence-based guidelines are urgently needed for all healthcare settings, from tertiary referral centres in high income countries to resource limited environments in low and middle income countries, where rates of child mortality are high. We place this narrative review in the context of children's developing understanding of illness and death. We review the impact of communication on children's emotional, behavioural and social functioning, as well as treatment adherence, disease progression and wider family relationships. We consider the factors that influence the process of communication and the preferences of children, families and healthcare professionals about how to convey the diagnosis. Critically, the barriers and challenges to effective communication are explored. Finally, we outline principles for communicating with children, parents and caregivers, generated from a workshop of international experts. Communication with Children and Adolescents about the Diagnosis of their own Life Threatening ConditionAlan Stein (AS) conceptualized and the designed the review. Louise Dalton (LD), Lucy Hanington (LH), Kim Fredman Stein (KFS) and AS undertook the literature searches and selected the studies. AS, LD and Elizabeth Rapa (ER) gathered the information from the studies and drafted the manuscript. Myra Bluebond-Langner (MBL), Sue Ziebland (SZ), Emily Harrop (EH), Ruth Bland (RB), Brenda Kelly (BK), Tamsen Rochat (TR) and KFS provided specific input to different sections of the manuscript; Communication Expert Group commented on drafts of the manuscript and contributed to the development of the guidelines. LD and ER compiled the tables. All authors have read and approved the final version of the Review. Conflict of Interest statementsEH declares she is deputy chair of the NICE clinical guideline development committee for NG61 (End of Life Care in Infants, Children and Young People). All of the other authors declare no Conflicts of Interest Role of funding sourceThe funder of the study had no role in any aspect of the review.

show abstract

Mother-Child Communication and Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Families of Children With Cancer: Integrating Macro and Micro Levels of Analysis

Abstract: Findings suggest concrete targets for improving communication in families after diagnosis or relapse.

Cited by 31 publications

References 27 publications

Depression and distress in caregivers of children with brain tumors undergoing treatment: psychosocial factors as moderators

Depression and distress in caregivers of children with brain tumors undergoing treatment: psychosocial factors as moderators

Depressive symptoms in adults with spina bifida.

Communication with children and adolescents about the diagnosis of their own life-threatening condition

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About