Leandra Desjardins1, Maru Barrera1, Fiona Schulte2, Joanna Chung3, Danielle Cataudella4, Laura Janzen1, Ute Bartels5, Andrea Downie4. 1. a Department of Psychology, Division of Hematology/Oncology , The Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto , Canada. 2. b Department of Psychology, Division of Hematology/Oncology , Alberta Children's Hospital , Calgary , Canada. 3. c Department of Psychology, Division of Hematology/Oncology , BC Children's Hospital , Vancouver , Canada. 4. d Department of Psychology, Division of Hematology/Oncology , London Health Sciences Centre , London , Canada. 5. e Division of Hematology/Oncology , The Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto , Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTSs) are at risk for impairments in social adjustment and psychological distress. This study investigated longitudinal associations between symptoms of social withdrawal and anxiety/depression in PBTS, as well as medical, demographic, and personal characteristics that may also influence reports of social withdrawal and anxiety/depression. METHOD: About 91 PBTS (51% male, mean age 11.21 years, off-treatment) participated. At baseline and 8 months follow-up, primary caregivers of PBTS completed measures of social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Medical information (e.g. tumor type and location, cranial irradiation therapy) and child personal characteristics (e.g. child's age and gender, executive function, social skills) were obtained at baseline. RESULTS: Baseline reports of depression symptoms and social skills predicted social withdrawal 8 months later. Social withdrawal at baseline predicted greater combined anxiety and depression symptoms 8 months later. Depression alone predicted greater anxiety symptoms at follow-up. Anxiety symptoms and poor global executive functioning predicted greater depression symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The social adjustment and psychological distress of PBTSs are interrelated and can influence each other across time. These findings support the importance of multifaceted interventions targeting both psychological distress and social adjustment, in order to support the optimal psychosocial adjustment of PBTSs.
OBJECTIVE: Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTSs) are at risk for impairments in social adjustment and psychological distress. This study investigated longitudinal associations between symptoms of social withdrawal and anxiety/depression in PBTS, as well as medical, demographic, and personal characteristics that may also influence reports of social withdrawal and anxiety/depression. METHOD: About 91 PBTS (51% male, mean age 11.21 years, off-treatment) participated. At baseline and 8 months follow-up, primary caregivers of PBTS completed measures of social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Medical information (e.g. tumor type and location, cranial irradiation therapy) and child personal characteristics (e.g. child's age and gender, executive function, social skills) were obtained at baseline. RESULTS: Baseline reports of depression symptoms and social skills predicted social withdrawal 8 months later. Social withdrawal at baseline predicted greater combined anxiety and depression symptoms 8 months later. Depression alone predicted greater anxiety symptoms at follow-up. Anxiety symptoms and poor global executive functioning predicted greater depression symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The social adjustment and psychological distress of PBTSs are interrelated and can influence each other across time. These findings support the importance of multifaceted interventions targeting both psychological distress and social adjustment, in order to support the optimal psychosocial adjustment of PBTSs.
Entities:
Keywords:
anxiety/depression; pediatric; quality of life; quantitative; survivorship
Authors: Yuliang Wang; Anthony Pak Yin Liu; Tatia Mei-Chun Lee; Wilfred Hing Sang Wong; Daniel Yee Tak Fong; Lok Kan Leung; Matthew Ming Kong Shing; Dennis Tak-Loi Ku; Godfrey Chi-Fung Chan; Winnie Wan-Yee Tso Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2022-07-04 Impact factor: 6.575