Parental Distress During Pediatric Leukemia and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) After Treatment Ends
Open Access
- 1 July 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Pediatric Psychology
- Vol. 26 (5) , 299-307
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/26.5.299
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate prospectively the association between parental anxiety during treatment for childhood leukemia and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after treatment ends. A secondary goal is to explore concurrent variables associated with parental avoidance after treatment ends. Methods: This is a longitudinal follow-up study of 113 parents of children treated for leukemia who previously participated in a study of procedural distress during treatment. Data included parental self-report questionnaires completed during treatment and after treatment. Results: Using hierarchical multiple regression, we found anxiety during treatment to be a significant predictor of later PTSS for mothers, but not fathers. Anxiety, self-efficacy, posttraumatic growth and length of time since treatment ended were associated with parental avoidance. Conclusions: Highly anxious parents are at risk for PTSS and may benefit from approaches that decrease anxiety during treatment and afterward. Enhancing self-efficacy related to follow-up care and identifying positive aspects of the traumatic experiences are suggested as treatment approaches for families after cancer treatment.Keywords
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