title: The enhancing connections program: pilot study of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for mothers and children affected by breast cancer.
abstract: In 2005, approximately 211,240 women in the US will be diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and an estimated 22% will be child rearing. Research reveals that both mothers and children have elevated distress attributed to the cancer; struggle with how to talk about and deal with the impact of the cancer; and both fear the mother will die. The Enhancing Connections Program (EC) was developed to reduce this cancer-related distress and morbidity. The program involves five, 1-hour educational counseling sessions delivered at 2-week intervals by specially trained clinicians. This study reports on the program's short-term impact on mothers' and children's adjustment. Thirteen households were recruited within 7.5 months of the mother's diagnosis with early stage breast cancer. Impact was evaluated within a single group design using data obtained from standardized questionnaires with established reliability and validity. Results revealed significant improvements in the mother's depressed mood, anxiety, and self-confidence to assist her child (mother report). There were also significant decreases in the child's behavioral problems (mother and father report); the child's cancer-related worries (child report); and the child's anxiety/depressed mood (mother and father report). Further evaluation is warranted within a clinical trial.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Washington, Box 357262, Seattle, 98195, USA. fmlewis@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Frances Marcus
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Shands
authors.forename: Ellen H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Zahlis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D011584:Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires