Parent Resolution of Their Child's Cancer Diagnosis: Associations With Parent Stress and Quality of Life

Abstract

Background

Trauma or profound distress has been reported in parents responding to their child's cancer diagnosis. Parent resolution of their child's medical diagnosis reflects acceptance and forward movement from the initial shock, grief, and intense emotionality. This short-term, longitudinal study examined the stability of resolution over the first 3 months from cancer diagnosis and whether parents’ resolution of their children's diagnosis was associated with concurrent mood and illness-related stress and subsequent quality of life (QOL).

Method

Forty-one parents/guardians (77% mothers) of children newly diagnosed with cancer or malignant tumor were recruited from pediatric oncology clinics. Parent semistructured interview responses at 2 weeks and 3 months postdiagnosis were coded as resolved or unresolved with respect to child diagnosis. Parents reported their mood and stress at 2 weeks postdiagnosis and their QOL at 6 months postdiagnosis.

Results

Resolution was stable over time: parents’ resolution status stayed the same from diagnosis to the 3-month follow-up. Unresolved status was associated with greater concurrent parent mood problems (p = .05, M_difference = 7.512) and stress about their own physical and emotional problems (p = .04, M_difference = 0.537), and poorer subsequent physical (p = .00, M_difference = −33.11) and emotional (p = .03, M_difference = −21.11) QOL.

Discussion

Parents’ resolution of their child's diagnosis was evident soon after diagnosis, remained stable, and was associated with parent health and QOL. Further research is needed to examine if the manner in which parents adapt to, and make meaning of, their child's diagnosis predicts long-term functioning for children with cancer and their parents.