Understanding the Relationship Between Child Health-Related Quality of Life and Parent Emotional Functioning in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

J Pediatr Psychol. 2017 Aug 1;42(7):804-814. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsx047.

Abstract

Objective: Explore interrelationships between domains of child health-related quality of life (HRQL) and parent emotional functioning using parent-proxy and child report in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

Methods: Data on 258 parent-child dyads were used from two longitudinal studies. Domains of HRQL included physical, emotional, and role functioning, and HSCT-related worry. We used structural equation modeling to model the outcome of parent emotional functioning using primary and alternative conceptual models.

Results: Parent-proxy raters reported lower child HRQL than child raters. Structural equation models demonstrated relationships between child emotional functioning, child HSCT-related worry, and parent emotional functioning, with some differences by raters.

Conclusions: Relationships between child HRQL and parent emotional functioning within the context of HSCT are complex. To optimize the child's health outcomes, providing psychosocial support for children and their families may be necessary, especially for those experiencing distress or facing treatment complications.

Keywords: cancer and oncology; parent stress; quality of life; structural equation modeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Health*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Quality of Life* / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology