Schepper Florian, Santel Anja, Herrmann Jessy, Herzog Kristina, Kulisch Leonard Konstantin, Kühl Jörn-Sven, Martini Julia
Department of Paediatric Oncology, Haematology & Haemostaseology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Department of Paediatric Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of University, Leipzig, Germany.
Psychooncology. 2025 Aug;34(8):e70254. doi: 10.1002/pon.70254.
Fear of progression (FoP) is among the most prevalent psychosocial burdens in paediatric oncology. Empirical evidence suggests that FoP is particularly pronounced during acute treatment and often persists into follow-up care. It is associated with heightened perception of physical symptoms, increased post-traumatic stress symptoms, more negative illness perceptions, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Consequently, a comprehensive diagnostic instrument is essential to assess FoP in children with cancer.
This study aimed to prospectively validate the German self-report version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire for Children (FoP-Q-SF/C) aged 7-18 years both during acute treatment and in follow-up care.
A total of 116 children participated in the study, including 39 undergoing acute treatment and 77 in follow-up care. Participants completed the FoP-Q-SF/C. Factor analyses were conducted, and associations between FoP and QoL, illness perceptions, posttraumatic stress symptoms, time since diagnosis, cancer type and treatment modality were examined.
All items were applicable in children. The FoP-Q-SF/C demonstrated high internal consistency and good convergent, criterion and divergent validity. Consistent with previous research, factor analysis supported a one-factor structure, although findings suggest potential for structural refinement.
The FoP-Q-SF/C is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing FoP in children with cancer across different treatment phases. It serves as a valuable screening instrument to identify children at risk for elevated psychosocial distress and to guide targeted psychosocial interventions.
疾病进展恐惧（FoP）是儿科肿瘤学中最普遍的心理社会负担之一。实证证据表明，FoP在急性治疗期间尤为明显，且常常持续到后续护理阶段。它与对身体症状的更高感知、创伤后应激症状增加、更消极的疾病认知以及生活质量（QoL）降低有关。因此，一种全面的诊断工具对于评估癌症患儿的FoP至关重要。
本研究旨在前瞻性地验证7至18岁儿童疾病进展恐惧问卷（FoP-Q-SF/C）的德语自我报告版本在急性治疗期间和后续护理中的有效性。
共有116名儿童参与了该研究，其中39名正在接受急性治疗，77名处于后续护理阶段。参与者完成了FoP-Q-SF/C问卷。进行了因子分析，并检查了FoP与QoL、疾病认知、创伤后应激症状、确诊时间、癌症类型和治疗方式之间的关联。
所有项目均适用于儿童。FoP-Q-SF/C表现出高内部一致性以及良好的收敛效度、效标效度和区分效度。与先前的研究一致，因子分析支持单因素结构，尽管研究结果表明该结构有进一步优化的潜力。
FoP-Q-SF/C是一种可靠且有效的问卷，可用于评估不同治疗阶段癌症患儿的FoP。它是一种有价值的筛查工具，可识别有心理社会困扰加剧风险的儿童，并指导有针对性的心理社会干预。
