Siefring Emma, Olsavsky Anna L, Schaefer Megan, Sutherland-Foggio Malcolm, Himelhoch Alexandra C, Hill Kylie N, Kenney Ansley E, Humphrey Lisa, Olshefski Randal, Gerhardt Cynthia A
Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Palliat Support Care. 2024 Nov 15;23:e1. doi: 10.1017/S1478951524001585.
Although pediatric cancer often causes significant stress for families, most childhood cancer survivors are resilient and do not exhibit severe or lasting psychopathology. Research demonstrates some survivors may report benefit-finding or positive outcomes following this stressful life event. However, considerably less research has included families of children who are unlikely to survive their illness. Thus, this study investigated benefit-finding among parents and their children with advanced cancer, as well as associated demographic and medical factors.
Families ( = 72) of children with advanced cancer (ages 5-25) were recruited from a large pediatric hospital. Advanced cancer was defined as relapsed or refractory disease, an estimated prognosis of <60%, or referral to end-of-life care. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Benefit Finding Scale at enrollment.
Children, mothers, and fathers reported moderate to high benefit-finding scores. Correlations between family members were weak and non-significant. Children reported significantly higher benefit-finding than fathers. Demographic and medical factors were not associated with benefit-finding in children, mothers, or fathers.
Families of children with advanced cancer reported moderate to high benefit-finding regardless of background or medical factors. Children identified benefits of their cancer experience independent of the experiences of their mothers and fathers. Larger studies should continue to examine factors associated with positive and negative outcomes in the context of childhood cancer to inform interventions.
尽管儿科癌症常常给家庭带来巨大压力，但大多数儿童癌症幸存者具有恢复力，并未表现出严重或持久的精神病理学问题。研究表明，一些幸存者可能会在这一压力巨大的生活事件后报告发现益处或取得积极结果。然而，极少有研究纳入了其子女不太可能从疾病中存活的家庭。因此，本研究调查了患有晚期癌症的父母及其子女的益处发现情况，以及相关的人口统计学和医学因素。
从一家大型儿科医院招募了患有晚期癌症（年龄在5至25岁之间）儿童的家庭（n = 72）。晚期癌症被定义为复发性或难治性疾病、预计预后小于60%或转诊至临终关怀。参与者在入组时完成了一项人口统计学调查和益处发现量表。
儿童、母亲和父亲报告的益处发现得分中等至高。家庭成员之间的相关性较弱且无统计学意义。儿童报告的益处发现得分显著高于父亲。人口统计学和医学因素与儿童、母亲或父亲的益处发现无关。
患有晚期癌症儿童的家庭报告的益处发现得分中等至高，无论背景或医学因素如何。儿童识别出了其癌症经历的益处，且独立于其母亲和父亲的经历。规模更大的研究应继续考察儿童癌症背景下与积极和消极结果相关的因素，以为干预措施提供依据。
