Problem solving and maternal distress at the time of a child's diagnosis of cancer in two-parent versus lone-parent households.
OBJECTIVE
To examine negative affectivity and problem-solving abilities for lone mothers and those who are married/partnered subsequent to a child's diagnosis with cancer.


METHODS
Negative affectivity and problem-solving strategies were assessed for 464 mothers (87 lone and 377 married/partnered) within 2-16 weeks of their child's diagnosis with cancer.


RESULTS
The two groups of mothers did not differ significantly on measures of perceived posttraumatic stress or problem-solving; lone mothers reported significantly more symptoms of depression. This difference was no longer significant when maternal education was taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative affectivity and problem-solving abilities were similar for lone mothers and those that are married/partnered shortly after their child has been diagnosed with cancer. Findings are discussed within the context of contemporary strategies to assess marital status as proxy variable for various underlying constructs.
Iobst
Emily A
EA
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Child Development Unit, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Alderfer
Melissa A
MA
Sahler
Olle Jane Z
OJ
Askins
Martha A
MA
Fairclough
Diane L
DL
Katz
Ernest R
ER
Butler
Robert W
RW
Dolgin
Michael J
MJ
Noll
Robert B
RB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D015406:Single Parent / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*