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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on February 19, 2008
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn007
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Assessment of Parental Psychological Stress in Pediatric Cancer: A Review

C. M. Jantien Vrijmoet-Wiersma, MSc1, Jeanine M. M. van Klink, MSc2, Annemarie M. Kolk, PhD2, Hendrik M. Koopman, PhD1, Lynne M. Ball, PhD1 and R. Maarten Egeler, PhD1

1Leiden University Medical Center and 2University of Amsterdam

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to C. M. Jantien Vrijmoet-Wiersma, LUMC, Pediatric Department, PO Box 9600, Room J6-174, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. E-mail: c.m.j.vrijmoet-wiersma{at}lumc.nl


  Abstract

Objectives We present an overview of the literature between 1997 and 2007 on parental stress reactions following the diagnosis of childhood cancer and we evaluate methodological strengths and weaknesses of the studies. Methods PubMed, PsychInfo, and Cinahl databases were used. Sixty-seven were included in the review. Results The conceptualization of parental stress and timing of assessment varies considerably between the studies, which makes comparison difficult. Most emotional stress reactions are seen around the time of diagnosis, with mothers reporting more symptoms than fathers. As a group, parents seem relatively resilient, although a subset of parents reports continuing stress even up to 5 years or more postdiagnosis. Conclusions The authors recommend clear definitions of parental stress, fixed points in time to assess parental stress, and an approach that highlights both parental strengths and weaknesses. Improved assessment can contribute to tailoring psychological care to those parents most in need.

Key words: assessment; parent; pediatric cancer; psychology; stress reaction.

Received August 7, 2007; revision received January 15, 2008; accepted January 19, 2008


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