Molly H Gardner1, Sylvie Mrug2, David C Schwebel2, Sean Phipps3, Kimberly Whelan4, Avi Madan-Swain4. 1. Departments of Hematology and Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd, CH 201, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue S., Lowder Building 512, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of literature examining benefit finding, or finding positive outcomes in the face of adversity, among both adults and children with chronic conditions, and to some degree among caregivers. This study examined demographic, medical, and psychosocial predictors of greater benefit finding specifically among caregivers of childhood cancer survivors. METHODS: Caregivers of children who had completed treatment for cancer (n = 83) completed measures assessing child and caregiver demographic information and caregiver coping (active, acceptance, emotion-focused, and avoidant), optimism, social support, caregiving burden, posttraumatic stress symptoms, illness impact (how much caregivers feel impacted by their child's illness in various domains), and benefit finding (positive outcomes). RESULT: Regression analyses indicated that positive spiritual coping, optimism, and illness impact uniquely predicted overall benefit finding for caregivers of childhood cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: Results point to adaptive tendencies that are associated with finding benefits when caring for a childhood cancer survivor and suggest potential avenues for intervention among this population.
BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of literature examining benefit finding, or finding positive outcomes in the face of adversity, among both adults and children with chronic conditions, and to some degree among caregivers. This study examined demographic, medical, and psychosocial predictors of greater benefit finding specifically among caregivers of childhood cancer survivors. METHODS: Caregivers of children who had completed treatment for cancer (n = 83) completed measures assessing child and caregiver demographic information and caregiver coping (active, acceptance, emotion-focused, and avoidant), optimism, social support, caregiving burden, posttraumatic stress symptoms, illness impact (how much caregivers feel impacted by their child's illness in various domains), and benefit finding (positive outcomes). RESULT: Regression analyses indicated that positive spiritual coping, optimism, and illness impact uniquely predicted overall benefit finding for caregivers of childhood cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: Results point to adaptive tendencies that are associated with finding benefits when caring for a childhood cancer survivor and suggest potential avenues for intervention among this population.
Authors: Molly H Gardner; Sylvie Mrug; David C Schwebel; Sean Phipps; Kimberly Whelan; Avi Madan-Swain Journal: Cancer Nurs Date: 2017 Sep/Oct Impact factor: 2.592
Authors: J Gregory Dolan; Douglas L Hill; Jennifer A Faerber; Laura E Palmer; Lamia P Barakat; Chris Feudtner Journal: Pediatr Blood Cancer Date: 2021-04-12 Impact factor: 3.838
Authors: Filiberto Toledano-Toledano; David Luna; José Moral de la Rubia; Silvia Martínez Valverde; Carlos Alberto Bermúdez Morón; Marcela Salazar García; Mario José Vasquez Pauca Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Chiara Colliva; Monica Cellini; Francesca Dalla Porta; Martina Ferrari; Barbara Maria Bergamini; Azzurra Guerra; Silvia Di Giuseppe; Annamaria Pinto; Roberto Capasso; Daniela Caprino; Marta Ferrari; Cristina Benatti; Fabio Tascedda; Johanna M C Blom Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-03-23 Impact factor: 3.240