Posttrauma symptoms in childhood leukemia survivors and their parents

Psychosomatics. 1996 May-Jun;37(3):254-61. doi: 10.1016/S0033-3182(96)71564-5.

Abstract

This study used a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress (the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index) to evaluate 64 pediatric leukemia survivors age 7-19 years and their parents (mothers n = 63, fathers n = 42). Based upon normative data for the Reaction Index, 12.5% of the survivors, 39.7% of the mothers, and 33.3% of the fathers reported symptoms consistent with a severe level of posttraumatic stress. The data indicate that a substantial subset of pediatric cancer survivors and their parents experience severe symptoms that can be understood within a posttraumatic stress model. The data are discussed with regard to pediatric follow-up care for cancer survivors, as well as in terms of preventive steps that could be taken to lessen the traumatic aspects of pediatric cancer treatment.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / psychology*
  • Male
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survival*