Sibling Adaptation to Childhood Cancer Collaborative Study: the association of sibling adaptation with maternal well-being, physical health, and resource use.
This multi-institutional study investigated the association of behavioral/emotional adaptation among siblings of children with cancer with maternal general well-being, physical health, and resource use. One hundred seventy siblings and mothers completed standardized interviews and self-report measures 6 to 42 months after the cancer was diagnosed. As a group, mothers of children with cancer reported significantly lower levels of well-being than matched controls. When stratified according to the level of the sibling's behavioral/emotional adaptation, mothers of siblings in the Dysfunctional group (1) reported the lowest levels of well-being; (2) during the preceding year, were more likely to have sought professional services than mothers of children in the Resilient group; and (3) were least likely to have found social support helpful. Our results support an association between maternal well-being and sibling adjustment but show it is unlikely that nonspecific social support will improve adjustment. The rationale for problem-solving training for mothers is provided.
Sahler
O J
OJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, New York, USA.
Roghmann
K J
KJ
Mulhern
R K
RK
Carpenter
P J
PJ
Sargent
J R
JR
Copeland
D R
DR
Barbarin
O A
OA
Zeltzer
L K
LK
Dolgin
M J
MJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012944:Social Support