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© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

A diagnosis of childhood cancer, and its subsequent treatment, initiates a difficult and long-lasting experience for families which can result in posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, positive change, such as growth, may also occur. The relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and growth in the wake of childhood cancer is poorly understood. We sought to better understand the relationships between children’s posttraumatic stress symptoms and growth and those of their parents via a survey. The results from our study showed that the children and parents in our study were faring relatively well, reporting low levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms and moderate levels of growth. The children’s posttraumatic stress symptom score was not related to, nor did it predict their growth. The same was true for their parents wherein their posttraumatic stress symptom score was not related to, nor did it predict their growth. Notably, lower posttraumatic stress symptom scores among children were associated with greater growth in their parents, and vice versa, but the parents’ posttraumatic stress symptom score was not associated with the children’s growth.

Abstract

There is a growing focus on describing both negative and positive outcomes in the wake of childhood cancer. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the relationships between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among children living beyond cancer and one of their parents. As part of a larger online survey, 113 children (Mage at time of study = 15.82 (SD = 4.81); Mage at diagnosis = 5.86 (SD = 4.66)) and one of their parents completed questionnaires assessing PTSS and PTG. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and levels of PTSS and PTG. Data were z-transformed and analyzed using bivariate correlations and t-tests. An actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was used to test whether children’s and their parents’ PTSS was associated with their own PTG (actor effect) and the others’ PTG (partner effect). PTSS was low and PTG was moderate in this sample relative to scale ranges. There were no significant differences between the children’s and their parents’ PTSS (p = 0.535) or PTG (p = 0.534). Results from the APIM showed no significant actor effects (p = 0.185). A significant overall partner effect (p = 0.020) emerged. Lower PTSS for children was associated with greater PTG for their parents (b = −0.29, p = 0.018), but parent’s PTSS was not associated with children’s PTG (p = 0.434). This sample reported similar levels of PTSS and PTG to that which has been reported in the literature. Children and their parents’ scores on PTSS and PTG measures were not significantly different from one another. Children’s PTSS was negatively associated with their parents PTG, illuminating the ways in which PTSS and PTG may be related in the context of childhood cancer. Exploring family-based strategies to reduce PTSS and enhance PTG may be warranted, though further studies are required.

Details

Title
Exploring Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth among Children Living beyond Cancer and Their Parents Using an Actor–Partner Interdependence Model
Author
Wurz, Amanda 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Patton, Michaela 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Merz, Erin L 3 ; Hou, Sharon H J 4 ; Cho, Sara 5 ; Schulte, Fiona 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 School of Kinesiology, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC V2R 0N3, Canada; [email protected] 
 Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; [email protected] 
 Department of Psychology, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA; [email protected] 
 Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; [email protected] 
 Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada; [email protected] 
First page
704
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20726694
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2627536122
Copyright
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.