title: Children of cancer patients: prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children of patients with cancer are at increased risk for developing emotional and behavioral problems. This study explored the prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems in Children of cancer patients in a multisite research project.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional sample of N = 235 families was recruited simultaneously in 5 university medical centers. The participants, including parents (N = 402) and children (N = 324; ages 11-21 years) completed standardized questionnaires. Emotional and behavioral problems in children were measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). On the basis of previous research and using a mixed-model approach, child-, parent-, family- and cancer-related variables were examined in addition to socioeconomic status as potential predictors. Descriptive statistics and a multiple random coefficient model were used in the analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to norms, Children of cancer patients show increased mean levels of emotional and behavioral symptoms. The best predictor of emotional and behavioral problems from the perspectives of the child, the healthy parent, and the ill parent was general family dysfunction. Although family dysfunction was identified as the main predictor, the analysis revealed that the main part of variance was related to the individual child's level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that screening for child mental health problems and family dysfunction in oncological and psychosocial treatment units can identify the families most in need of psychosocial support. Psychological services need to be both family-oriented and child-centered and focus on family dysfunction to prevent mental health problems in children.
authors: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Hamburg, Germany; University Medical Center Münster, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Münster, Germany.
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Möller
authors: Claus
authors: C
authors: Barkmann
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Krattenmacher
authors: Franziska
authors: F
authors: Kühne
authors: Corinna
authors: C
authors: Bergelt
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Beierlein
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Ernst
authors: Elmar
authors: E
authors: Brähler
authors: Hans-Henning
authors: HH
authors: Flechtner
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Herzog
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: von Klitzing
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Führer
authors: Franz
authors: F
authors: Resch
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Romer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: child; medical oncology; neoplasms; parents; psychology; risk factors