Family coping with pediatric leukemia: ten years after treatment

J Pediatr Psychol. 1995 Oct;20(5):601-17. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/20.5.601.

Abstract

As part of a longitudinal study of family coping with pediatric leukemia, 28 former patients (16 male; 12 female; M age = 19.1 years) and their parents (23 mothers; 12 fathers) participated in a follow-up study at 10 years posttreatment. Measures included the Current Adjustment Rating Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Ways of Coping Scale, the Family Coping Scale, and a semistructured interview. Long-term survivors and their parents continued to be well-adjusted to life posttreatment. Coping and perceived adjustment in long-term survivors were positively related to socioeconomic status and mother's coping and negatively related to academic problems. A strong bidirectional relationship was found between survivors' and mother's adjustment. Coping strategies were variable and not significantly correlated with coping adequacy or adjustment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / psychology*
  • Leukemia / therapy
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Personality Assessment
  • Personality Development
  • Risk Factors
  • Sick Role*