title: Mother-child communication and maternal depressive symptoms in families of children with cancer: integrating macro and micro levels of analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines associations between maternal depressive symptoms and macro- and micro-level aspects of mothers' communication about their children's cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers reported depressive symptoms after diagnosis or relapse (child mean age = 10.4 years; 53% male). Mother-child dyads (N = 94) were subsequently observed discussing the child's cancer and maternal communication was coded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macro-level indicators (positive and negative communication) were associated with certain micro-level indicators of communication (topic maintenance, reflections, reframes, and imperatives). Higher depressive symptoms predicted lower positive communication and higher negative communication. Maternal reflections and imperatives predicted positive communication, and topic maintenance and reframes predicted negative communication, beyond child age, family income, and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest concrete targets for improving communication in families after diagnosis or relapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. erin.m.rodriguez@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Madeleine J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Teddi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.forename: Leighann
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hughart
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vannatta
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saylor
authors.forename: C Melanie
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schuele
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Compas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence
keywords: cancer and oncology; mother–child communication