title: How parents cope with their child's diagnosis and treatment of an embryonal tumor: results of a prospective and longitudinal study.
abstract: The current study reports longitudinal coping responses among parents of children diagnosed with an embryonal brain tumor. Patients (n = 219) were enrolled on a treatment protocol for a pediatric embryonal brain tumor. Their parents (n = 251) completed the Coping Response Inventory at time of their child's diagnosis and yearly thereafter, resulting in 502 observations. Outcomes were examined with patient and parent age at diagnosis, patient risk, parent gender and education as covariates. At the time of diagnosis, the highest observed coping method was seeking guidance with well above average scores (T = 61.6). Over time, younger parents were found to seek guidance at a significantly higher rate than older parents (P = .016) and the use of acceptance resignation and seeking alternative results by all parents significantly increased (P = .011 and P < .0001 respectively). The use of emotional discharge was also observed above average at time of diagnosis (T = 55.4) with younger fathers being more likely to exhibit emotional discharge than older fathers (P = .002). Differences in coping according to age of the patient and parent education level are also discussed. Results show a high need for guidance, and above average emotional discharge, especially among younger parents. It is imperative for the healthcare team to lead with accurate information so that these parents may make informed decisions about the care of their child. This need remains high years after diagnosis. Therefore it is critical to continue a consistent level of effective communication and support, even following treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Mail Stop 740 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. shawna.palmer@stjude.org
authors.forename: Shawna L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lesh
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonner
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chapieski
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mabbott
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Amar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajjar
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires