Caitlin M Fischer1,2, Ann S Hamilton3, Rhona I Slaughter3, Joel Milam3,4. 1. University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street (SSB), Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA. cmfischer@utexas.edu. 2. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. cmfischer@utexas.edu. 3. Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street (SSB), Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA. 4. University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: As childhood cancer survivors (CCS) age, they face numerous long-term consequences, or late effects, from their cancer treatments. Late effects may be mitigated by health-promoting behaviors, including the avoidance of substance use. CCS with greater depression symptomology have reported greater substance use, but whether their habits are associated with the mental health of their caregivers is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine caregiver psychosocial correlates of CCS substance use. METHODS: This study utilizes data from the Project Forward pilot study, which collected data from 129 CCS-caregiver dyads (CCS mean age = 19.43, SD = 2.78; years since diagnosis = 7.62, SD = 2.06) from two large hospitals in Los Angeles County. CCS provided self-reported information on substance use, while caregivers self-reported on posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) associated with their child's cancer and current depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Among CCS, prior 30-day tobacco, marijuana, binge drinking, and polysubstance use were 12.50%, 14.17%, 13.18%, and 12.40%. In multivariable logistic regression models, caregiver PTSS was independently positively associated with CCS tobacco use. No other significant relationships between caregiver mental health (PTSS or depressive symptoms) and CCS substance use were observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that caregiver PTSS is partially associated with CCS behavioral health. Survivorship care may improve tobacco use prevention efforts by incorporating family or caregiver mental health needs. Future research should examine the potential mediating effect of CCS mental health, including depressive symptoms, on this relationship.
PURPOSE: As childhood cancer survivors (CCS) age, they face numerous long-term consequences, or late effects, from their cancer treatments. Late effects may be mitigated by health-promoting behaviors, including the avoidance of substance use. CCS with greater depression symptomology have reported greater substance use, but whether their habits are associated with the mental health of their caregivers is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine caregiver psychosocial correlates of CCS substance use. METHODS: This study utilizes data from the Project Forward pilot study, which collected data from 129 CCS-caregiver dyads (CCS mean age = 19.43, SD = 2.78; years since diagnosis = 7.62, SD = 2.06) from two large hospitals in Los Angeles County. CCS provided self-reported information on substance use, while caregivers self-reported on posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) associated with their child's cancer and current depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Among CCS, prior 30-day tobacco, marijuana, binge drinking, and polysubstance use were 12.50%, 14.17%, 13.18%, and 12.40%. In multivariable logistic regression models, caregiver PTSS was independently positively associated with CCS tobacco use. No other significant relationships between caregiver mental health (PTSS or depressive symptoms) and CCS substance use were observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that caregiver PTSS is partially associated with CCS behavioral health. Survivorship care may improve tobacco use prevention efforts by incorporating family or caregiver mental health needs. Future research should examine the potential mediating effect of CCS mental health, including depressive symptoms, on this relationship.
Entities:
Keywords:
CCS follow-up care; Caregiver and CCS mental health; Childhood cancer survivors; Childhood cancer survivorship; Substance use
Authors: Matthew T Feldner; Kimberly A Babson; Michael J Zvolensky; Anka A Vujanovic; Sarah F Lewis; Laura E Gibson; Candice M Monson; Amit Bernstein Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2006-04-27 Impact factor: 3.913
Authors: Peter C Trask; Amber G Paterson; Christine L Trask; Cristina B Bares; JoAnn Birt; Cathy Maan Journal: J Pediatr Oncol Nurs Date: 2003 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 1.636