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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on October 26, 2005
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsj087
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© The Author 2005. 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
Received April 15, 2005
Revised October 3, 2005

Original Research Article

Psychological Distress and the Impact of Social Support on Fathers and Mothers of Pediatric Cancer Patients: Long-Term Prospective Results

Barbara J. Wijnberg-Williams MSc1*, Willem A. Kamps MD, PhD2, Ed C. Klip PhD1, and Josette E. H. M. Hoekstra-Weebers PhD3

1 Psychosocial Services, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen
2 Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen
3 Psychosocial Services, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen; Comprehensive Cancer Center North Netherlands

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Barbara J. Wijnberg-Williams, E-mail: b.j.wijnberg{at}psb.umcg.nl


  Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of social support on psychological distress of parents of pediatric cancer patients using a prospective design over a 5-year period. Methods Parents of children diagnosed with cancer participated at diagnosis (T1), 6 months (T2), 12 months (T3), and 5 years later (T4). Instruments The General Health Questionnaire and the Social Support List (SSL) measuring amount of support, (dis)satisfaction with support, and negative interactions were administered. Results Psychological distress and amount of support received decreased significantly from diagnosis to T4. No significant change in (dis)satisfaction with support and negative interactions was found. Social support variables did not show any concurrent or prospective significant effect on mothers’ distress at T4. Dissatisfaction with support showed a significant unique concurrent effect on fathers’ distress at T4 and negative interactions had a prospective unique effect. Conclusions Dissatisfaction with support and negative interactions that fathers experienced significantly affected their levels of psychological distress. No such effect was found for mothers.

Keywords: parents stress; pediatric cancer; prospective longitudinal study; social support.
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