The effects of psychoeducational interventions on caregivers of children with cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the best available evidence concerning the effects of psychoeducational interventions (PEIs) on the psychosocial and coping outcomes for caregivers of pediatric oncology patients. A literature search was performed using 11 databases, from inception to June 2017. Keywords such as pediatric, caregiver, parents, cancer, and intervention were used. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Studies with full text available online in English and those conducted of caregivers of children diagnosed with any form of cancer were included. Eleven RCTs were included in the analysis. Our meta-analysis revealed that PEIs have small to large effects on three outcomes, including post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), mood, and problem-solving skills. However, the outcomes from PEI were not superior to the usual standard of care for anxiety, depression, and social support. Our meta-analysis provided moderate evidence that PEI enhances psychological and coping outcomes. Because coping affects both physical and psychological health, health care professionals could consider including coping as a core component in PEI delivered to caregivers of children with cancer.

Factor Structure of the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory in Chinese (Brief-COPE-C) in Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illnesses

“…To support caregivers in their caregiving trajectory, psychoeducational interventions, such as problem-solving skill training, stress management, and coping enhancement therapy can be incorporated in pediatric care. These interventions can facilitate caregivers' coping enhancement (Tang et al, 2020). As stress is mediated by appraisal and coping, improving coping techniques can relieve caregiving stress and ultimately benefit their physical and psychological well-being (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984).…”

A moment just for me – parents’ experiences of an intervention for person-centred information in paediatric oncology

“…A core activity in paediatric oncology nursing is ensuring that parents are well-informed about the child's disease and treatment, but this can be challenging (Landier et al, 2016). Many current interventions are directed towards parents managing their emotional reactions to their child's illness through psychoeducation and psychosocial support (Sánchez-Egea et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2020). Few studies, however, focus on informational intervention for parents (Landier et al, 2016).…”

Psycho-Education on Knowledge of Oral Hygiene and Psychological Distress to the Parents with Leukemia Children

“…Parents with children newly diagnosed with cancer have a high level of anxiety (Patiño-fernández et al, 2008) and high stress levels, so nurses need to facilitate them in managing stress through nursing care (Fernanda, 2013). Psychoeducation also plays an important role in problem solving skills so that it can improve the emotional status of parents including reducing levels of stress, anxiety and depression (Psychological distress) (Tang et al, 2019).…”