PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that differences between sicker and not-so-sick women in their preoccupation with their illness and parenting behavior can explain why some investigators find that children of breast cancer patients fare better than controls and other investigators find the reverse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two women with metastasized breast cancer (sicker mothers) and 45 women with a first occurrence of nonmetastasized breast cancer (not-so-sick mothers) rated the degree of their preoccupation with the disease, their parenting behavior, mood, and social supports and the emotional and behavioral symptoms in one of their children. Their 12- to 18-year-old children rated their mothers' parenting behavior, their own emotional and behavioral symptoms, and their self-esteem. RESULTS: Sicker mothers reported relatively less preoccupation. They, and their children, reported less poor parenting and fewer externalizing symptoms in the children. Regression analyses revealed further differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Less preoccupation with their illness and less poor parenting behavior by sicker mothers may explain why their children seem to fare better then those of not-so-sick mothers. Formulations concerning families of breast cancer patients should include consideration of the effect of the mothers' perception of the severity of their illness.
PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that differences between sicker and not-so-sick women in their preoccupation with their illness and parenting behavior can explain why some investigators find that children of breast cancerpatients fare better than controls and other investigators find the reverse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two women with metastasized breast cancer (sicker mothers) and 45 women with a first occurrence of nonmetastasized breast cancer (not-so-sick mothers) rated the degree of their preoccupation with the disease, their parenting behavior, mood, and social supports and the emotional and behavioral symptoms in one of their children. Their 12- to 18-year-old children rated their mothers' parenting behavior, their own emotional and behavioral symptoms, and their self-esteem. RESULTS: Sicker mothers reported relatively less preoccupation. They, and their children, reported less poor parenting and fewer externalizing symptoms in the children. Regression analyses revealed further differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Less preoccupation with their illness and less poor parenting behavior by sicker mothers may explain why their children seem to fare better then those of not-so-sick mothers. Formulations concerning families of breast cancerpatients should include consideration of the effect of the mothers' perception of the severity of their illness.
Authors: Frances Marcus Lewis; Kristin A Griffith; Amy Walker; Robin M Lally; Elizabeth T Loggers; Ellen H Zahlis; Mary Ellen Shands; Zainab Alzawad; Hebah Al Mulla; Nai-Ching Chi Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-10-21 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Frances Marcus Lewis; Patricia A Brandt; Barbara B Cochrane; Kristin A Griffith; Marcia Grant; Joan E Haase; Arlene D Houldin; Janice Post-White; Ellen H Zahlis; Mary Ellen Shands Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2014-11-17
Authors: Frances Marcus Lewis; Ellen H Zahlis; Mary Ellen Shands; Kristin A Griffith; Sara Goldberger; Anita Shaft; Rachel Kennedy; Aly Rice Journal: J Psychosoc Oncol Date: 2020-05-05