Trajectories of child and caregiver psychological adjustment in families of children with cancer

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
Lynn Fainsilber KatzNicole Stettler

Abstract

To describe the trajectory of patient and caregiver mental health from diagnosis through the first year of treatment for pediatric cancer and assess whether rates of clinically relevant symptoms were elevated compared with norms. We examined mean levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children with cancer, and depression, anxiety, and PTSS in caregivers during the first year of treatment; the proportion of patients and caregivers that scored in the clinical range at each time point; and the typical trajectory of symptoms in patients and caregivers and whether trajectories differed between individuals. Families (N = 159) of children newly diagnosed with cancer (Mage = 5.6 years; range = 2-18 years) participated in a short-term prospective study. Primary caregivers provided monthly reports of their own and their children's psychological adjustment. On average, children were well-adjusted. However, compared with norms, there was a higher than expected proportion of children with clinically relevant internalizing symptoms around the time of diagnosis. On average children's symptoms declined over time, though variability was observed. Caregivers were less well-adjusted on avera...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 12, 2019·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Leandra DesjardinsMaru Barrera
Apr 25, 2020·Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings·Emily McTateAhna L H Pai
Sep 16, 2020·Journal of Pediatric Psychology·Leandra DesjardinsBruce E Compas
Sep 16, 2020·Journal of Pediatric Psychology·Caroline M RobertsLarry L Mullins
Feb 18, 2021·Journal of Pediatric Psychology·Megan N PerezLarry L Mullins
Apr 21, 2021·Journal of Pediatric Nursing·Kathryn Berry-CarterBelinda N Mandrell
Aug 8, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Nelson Chun Yiu YeungYin Ting Cheung
Aug 6, 2021·Journal of Pediatric Psychology·Nathan L BasileLarry L Mullins
Sep 15, 2021·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·Katie A GreenzangJennifer W Mack
Oct 6, 2021·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Maru BarreraJoanna Chung
Jan 20, 2022·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·Carolyn R BatesKathryn Vannatta

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anxiety Disorders

Discover the latest research on anxiety disorders including agoraphobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder here.

Related Papers

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
Lynn Fainsilber KatzNicole Stettler
Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
Allen W BartonGene H Brody
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved