The enhancing connections program: pilot study of a cognitive‐behavioral intervention for mothers and children affected by breast cancer

Lewis, Frances Marcus; Casey, Susan; Brandt, Patricia; Shands, Mary Ellen; Zahlis, Ellen H.

doi:10.1002/pon.979

Cited by 70 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Parents are aware of this fact, as results from a recent study show that the second most commonly identified practical problem for cancer patients is child care (45%), right after finances (48%), whereas the most commonly identified familial problem is dealing with children (87%) (Shim, Shin, Jeon, & Hahm, 2008). Indeed, parental cancer has been associated with less parental availability, or even with some parental disengagement, which can hinder adolescents' development and adaptation (Folkner & Davey, 2002;Lewis et al, 2006). Parents are responsible for identifying and responding to their children's needs, but coping with cancer and the intensity of associated treatments necessitates such demanding and numerous adjustments that parents may not always be able adequately fulfill this role (Lewis et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Moreover, cancer incidence is rising among young adults, particularly among women age 20 to 39 (Canadian Cancer Society's Steering Committee, 2009). Recently, it has been estimated that 22% of women affected by breast cancer have children at home (Lewis, Casey, Brandt, Shands, & Zahlis, 2006). Thus, an important number of children and adolescents are likely to experience serious familial disruptions when one of their parents is suffering from cancer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological Distress Among Adolescents Living with a Parent with Advanced Cancer

Rainville

Dumont

Simard

et al. 2012

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

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The objective of this exploratory study was to evaluate the impact of advanced parental cancer on adolescents' psychological status. A sample of 28 adolescents, having a parent with advanced cancer, was recruited and compared with a sample from the general population (N = 2,346). Late adolescents (age 15 to 18) experienced significantly more psychological distress than early adolescents (age 12 to 14). Moreover, late adolescents experienced significantly higher psychological distress than the general population for the same age group, which was not the case for early adolescents. Implications for adolescents living in families touched by advanced cancer are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Distress Among Adolescents Living with a Parent with Advanced Cancer

Rainville

Dumont

Simard

et al. 2012

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

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show abstract

“…The YSR and TRF are parallel versions of the original CBCL instrument designed to measure the same variables by each type of informant; for brevity's sake they will all be referred to here as 'CBCL measures'. Following previous studies (Visser et al, 2005;Lewis et al, 2005), Internalising, Externalising and Total Problem scores will be examined here as indices of child problems. For ethical reasons, six items about bowel and sexual problems were omitted from the CBCL.…”

Section: Child Emotional and Behavioural Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with emotional and behavioural problems among school age children of breast cancer patients

et al. 2005

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To identify factors linked with emotional and behavioural problems in school age (6-to 17-year-old) children of women with breast cancer. Reports of children's emotional and behavioural problems were obtained from patient mothers, their healthy partners, the children's teacher and adolescents using the Child Behaviour Checklist and Mental Health subscale of the Child Health Questionnaire. Parents reported on their own level of depression and, for patients only, their quality of life. Family functioning was assessed using the Family Assessment Device and Cohesion subscale of the Family Environment Scale. Using a cross-sectional within groups design, assessments were obtained (N ¼ 107 families) where the patients were 3 -36 months postdiagnosis. Risk of problems in children were linked with low levels of family cohesion, low affective responsiveness and parental over-involvement as reported by both child and mother. Adolescents reported family communication issues, which were associated with externalising behaviour problems. Maternal depression was related to child internalising problems, particularly in girls. Whether the mother was currently on or off chemotherapy was not associated with child problems nor was time since cancer diagnosis. These findings held across child age. Where mothers have early stage breast cancer, a substantial minority of their school-aged children have emotional and behavioural problems. Such cases are characterised by the existence of maternal depression and poor family communication, rather than by the mother's treatment status or time since diagnosis. Targeted treatments, which focus on maternal depression and family communication may benefit the children and, through improved relationships, enhance the patients' quality of life.

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“…A lot of studies indicate that family functioning is more predictive for children's psychological adjustment than any disease-related parameter, such as duration, prognosis [7][8][9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Explain the Parent's Cancer to their Children: A Specific Intervention to Enhance Communication Inside the Family

Gallina¹,

Mazza²

2016

Clinics Mother Child Health

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Objective: This article describes a multidisciplinary intervention dedicated to patients with cancer and with underage children. It is well known that children of severely ill parents can develop emotional and behavioral problems. Different studies underline the efficacy of an open communication with children about the parent's illness to reduce distress but also the difficulties of parents to explain it to their children. The intervention, realized at San Gerardo Hospital, aims to inform or improve the children's knowledge of their parent's cancer, and to open communication about cancer inside the family.Methods: This intervention is characterized by the integration of a psychologist and a pediatric hematooncologist and by the direct involvement of children. After the fact-finding parents sessions, the pediatric hematooncologist and the psychologist meet children in specific settings, without parents present, to describe, with the support of images and metaphors, the parent's cancer and to understand children's needs or fears. In particular the pediatric hemato-oncologyst uses the flowered garden metaphor to explain to children the parent's illness and the treatments. Then the clinicians share the content of the previous sessions with parents. Counseling sessions to parents are also organized to increase the parental competence and the sharing of cancer-related concerns in the family. In addition, a specific questionnaire has been realized to evaluate children's psychological conditions after the intervention, family atmosphere and parents' satisfaction.Results: 36 families and 53 children have participated in the project up to now. The results of the questionnaires have underlined the absence of psychopathological symptoms in children, the presence of more collaboration in the families and more possibilities in the family to have an open communication about the cancer. In addition, most of the parents reported a considerable satisfaction with the intervention. Conclusion:Support for open communication in the family about cancer should be acknowledged as an important aspect of oncology care to reduce family stress.

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The enhancing connections program: pilot study of a cognitive‐behavioral intervention for mothers and children affected by breast cancer

Cited by 70 publications

References 39 publications

Psychological Distress Among Adolescents Living with a Parent with Advanced Cancer

Psychological Distress Among Adolescents Living with a Parent with Advanced Cancer

Factors associated with emotional and behavioural problems among school age children of breast cancer patients

How to Explain the Parent's Cancer to their Children: A Specific Intervention to Enhance Communication Inside the Family

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