Predictors of PTSD in mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplantation: the role of cognitive and social processes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of cognitive and social processing in posttraumatic stress symptoms and disorder (PTSD) among mothers of children undergoing bone marrow and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (BMT/SCT).


METHODS
Questionnaires assessing emotional distress, BMT-related fears, and negative responses of family and friends were completed by 90 mothers at the time of the BMT infusion and 3 and 6 months post-BMT. PTSD symptoms were measured 6 months post-BMT by both paper-and-pencil and structured interview methods.


RESULTS
Emotional distress, BMT-related fears, and negative responses of family and friends assessed at the time of BMT hospitalization were predictive of later PTSD symptoms. None of these variables prospectively predicted a PTSD diagnosis as measured by the structured interview.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher levels of general psychological distress, cognitive interpretations of the threat of the BMT for the child's future functioning, and negative responses of family and friends may place mothers at risk for post-BMT posttraumatic stress symptomatology.
Manne
Sharon
S
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA. SL_Manne@fcc.edu
DuHamel
Katherine
K
Nereo
Nancy
N
Ostroff
Jamie
J
Parsons
Susan
S
Martini
Richard
R
Williams
Sharon
S
Mee
Laura
L
Sexson
Sandra
S
Wu
Lisa
L
Difede
Joanne
J
Redd
William H
WH
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires