title: Effects of group therapy on parents of children with cancer.
abstract: Group therapy for parents of children with cancer has been suggested as a means of relieving stress. This quasi-experimental study sought to determine the effect of participation in a support group for parents of children aged 10 to 14 years with cancer. Parents completed the Wallston Health Locus of Control (HLOC) Scale and the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report (SAS-SR) both before and following seven group sessions. Descriptive data were collected from the cotherapists' process log and the participants' evaluation. A significant t test score (P = .017) was obtained for the HLOC Scale questionnaire. The group process log showed recurrent themes of helplessness and powerlessness. The Parent Support Group Evaluation (PSGE) developed by the researchers, demonstrated satisfaction and revealed that school and community activities were considered the most helpful. Tentative conclusions support the value of such a group in providing a forum for the parents to discuss concerns and decrease their sense of isolation. However, more study is needed with a larger sample before definitive conclusions can be reached.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Heiney
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cannon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009369:Neoplasms; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012917:Social Adjustment