Sibling response to childhood cancer: a new approach

Evans, Cathy; Stevens, Martin J.; Cushway, Delia; Houghton, Jeffery D.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.1992.tb00356.x

Cited by 32 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Siblings' social competence was indeed found to be positively related to the amount of parent-sibling communication [13] and to the siblings' knowledge of the disease [16]. Although no direct relationship between social competence and adjustment have been found, high levels of social competence may indirectly protect siblings from serious adjustment problems.…”

Section: Communicationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In their turn, siblings protect their parents from their own negative emotions. Evans et al [16] found that although most siblings spent a lot of time thinking about the disease, only one quarter talked to their parents, and one third talked to no one at all. Several researchers have found that siblings protect parents from their own worries and negative feelings regarding the illness [4,8,10,12].…”

Section: Denialmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Risk factors: Presence of problems before diagnosis for problems p.d. Younger boys (4-11) and older girls (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) are at risk. (e) Distress of disruptions in family, separation from parents, lack of attention.…”

Section: Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evans et al [16] found that families with a pediatric oncology patient experience other stressful lifeevents besides the illness. Family illness, change or loss of employment and relationship problems frequently occur.…”

Section: Family Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Adjustment of siblings to childhood cancer: a literature review

Houtzager¹,

Grootenhuis²,

Last³

1999

Supportive Care in Cancer

121

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies concerning sibling adjustment to childhood cancer and published since 1980 were reviewed. Sibling distress was described in terms of emotional, socio-behavioral, academic, physical and positive reactions. Secondly, characteristics and coping resources of siblings that are related to adjustment were summarized. Thirdly, the families' functioning, parental coping resources and family events that relate to adjustment were described. Finally, relevant aspects of the illness that may influence adjustment were described. Results of the 35 studies reviewed are summarized in a table containing general descriptors, methods and results. There are salient difficulties in comparison of the findings owing to variations in design, heterogeneity of the groups of siblings, diversity in sample size, and differences in conceptualizations of adjustment and coping. The lack of longitudinal studies, the precarious definitions and confounding of coping and adaptation, and the marginal role of siblings' coping efforts were identified as the most striking deficiencies in current research.

show abstract

Section: Communicationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Denialmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Family Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Adjustment of siblings to childhood cancer: a literature review

Houtzager¹,

Grootenhuis²,

Last³

1999

Supportive Care in Cancer

121

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…6-8 10 On the other hand, the experiences of cancer may not necessarily be negative. 11 Specifically, high levels of family cohesion and adaptability have been associated with better adaptation for siblings. 12 Positive findings have been described especially among older siblings.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The siblings of childhood cancer patients need early support: a follow up study over the first year

Lähteenmäki

2004

Archives of Disease in Childhood

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and methods:In a 1 year follow up study, we assessed the life situation of 33 siblings of childhood cancer patients and 357 healthy controls. The hypothesis was that siblings have more behavioural and health related problems just after the cancer diagnosis. Validated assessment methods were used. Results: Siblings below school age tended to have conduct problems, psychosomatic problems, and a mixed group of other behavioural problems, when assessed 3 months after the cancer diagnosis. These symptoms became less evident during follow up. Among the school aged siblings, however, conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic problems, impulsive-hyperactive symptoms, and other behavioural symptoms remained unchanged during follow up. In their self assessments, the school aged siblings showed both state and trait anxiety more often than controls at the first assessment, but later these symptoms settled to the same level as the controls. The overall Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) depression scores did not show differences between the study groups. Conclusions: The ratings of the parents were in keeping with the self assessment of the school aged siblings only in a few aspects; the emphasis of findings can be changed when proxies are used. The siblings have symptoms and adverse feelings which probably could be relieved by targeted, early information about the illness, and possibly by group discussions or activities, soon after the cancer diagnosis. In order to obtain necessary support for the siblings with educational problems, school personnel need to be informed about the sibling distress.

show abstract