OBJECTIVES: This study examines associations between maternal depressive symptoms and macro- and micro-level aspects of mothers' communication about their children's cancer. METHODS: Mothers reported depressive symptoms after diagnosis or relapse (child mean age = 10.4 years; 53% male). Mother-child dyads (N = 94) were subsequently observed discussing the child's cancer and maternal communication was coded. RESULTS: Macro-level indicators (positive and negative communication) were associated with certain micro-level indicators of communication (topic maintenance, reflections, reframes, and imperatives). Higher depressive symptoms predicted lower positive communication and higher negative communication. Maternal reflections and imperatives predicted positive communication, and topic maintenance and reframes predicted negative communication, beyond child age, family income, and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest concrete targets for improving communication in families after diagnosis or relapse.
OBJECTIVES: This study examines associations between maternal depressive symptoms and macro- and micro-level aspects of mothers' communication about their children's cancer. METHODS: Mothers reported depressive symptoms after diagnosis or relapse (child mean age = 10.4 years; 53% male). Mother-child dyads (N = 94) were subsequently observed discussing the child's cancer and maternal communication was coded. RESULTS: Macro-level indicators (positive and negative communication) were associated with certain micro-level indicators of communication (topic maintenance, reflections, reframes, and imperatives). Higher depressive symptoms predicted lower positive communication and higher negative communication. Maternal reflections and imperatives predicted positive communication, and topic maintenance and reframes predicted negative communication, beyond child age, family income, and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest concrete targets for improving communication in families after diagnosis or relapse.
Entities:
Keywords:
cancer and oncology; mother–child communication
Authors: Madeleine J Dunn; Erin M Rodriguez; Anna S Barnwell; Julie C Grossenbacher; Kathryn Vannatta; Cynthia A Gerhardt; Bruce E Compas Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2011-09-26 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Madeleine J Dunn; Erin M Rodriguez; Kimberly S Miller; Cynthia A Gerhardt; Kathryn Vannatta; Megan Saylor; C Melanie Scheule; Bruce E Compas Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2010-07-15
Authors: Kemar V Prussien; Lexa K Murphy; Cynthia A Gerhardt; Kathryn Vannatta; Heather Bemis; Leandra Desjardins; Amanda C Ferrante; Emily L Shultz; Madelaine C Keim; David A Cole; Bruce E Compas Journal: J Fam Psychol Date: 2018-09-13
Authors: Caitlin B Murray; Christina M Amaro; Katie A Devine; Alexandra M Psihogios; Lexa K Murphy; Grayson N Holmbeck Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2014-05-26
Authors: Janet Yarboi; Kemar V Prussien; Heather Bemis; Ellen Williams; Kelly H Watson; Collen McNally; Lauren Henry; Allison A King; Michael R DeBaun; Bruce E Compas Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2019-11-01
Authors: Brad E Dicianno; Nicholas Kinback; Melissa H Bellin; Laurie Chaikind; Alhaji M Buhari; Grayson N Holmbeck; T Andrew Zabel; Robert M Donlan; Diane M Collins Journal: Rehabil Psychol Date: 2015-07-06
Authors: Lexa K Murphy; Erin M Rodriguez; Laura Schwartz; Heather Bemis; Leandra Desjardins; Cynthia A Gerhardt; Kathryn Vannatta; Megan Saylor; Bruce E Compas Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2015-07-27 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Lexa K Murphy; Kristopher J Preacher; Jason D Rights; Erin M Rodriguez; Heather Bemis; Leandra Desjardins; Kemar Prussien; Adrien M Winning; Cynthia A Gerhardt; Kathryn Vannatta; Bruce E Compas Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2018-11-01