[Coping and depression in underage children of cancer patients: Data on the course].
BACKGROUND
There is increasing consideration of a family-focused perspective of the psychosocial consequences of cancer.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined the psychosocial situation of children and adolescents (11 to 17 years old) of cancer patients assessing their psychological distress and coping over time.


METHODS
A total of 110 children and adolescents were assessed post-treatment of parents with cancer (t1), 6 (t2) and 12 months (t3) after t1. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing coping (KidCope) and depressive symptoms (CES). These data were compared with a matched sample from the general population.


RESULTS
The children reported using a combination of coping measures. In particular, active coping was perceived as being helpful. In terms of coping, there were only small gender differences and 6 months after completion of treatment of the parents (t2), depressive symptoms of the children were still elevated. Depression diminished over time and was near the level of the comparison group at t3.


CONCLUSIONS
Children and adolescents are particularly psychologically distressed after cancer treatment of parents. This distress was connected with not helpful coping strategies. The extended adjustment of children/adolescents of cancer patients has to be considered in the clinical and psychosocial care of the families.
Department für Psychische Gesundheit, Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland, Jochen.Ernst@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
J
J
Ernst
K
K
von Klitzing
E
E
Brähler
G
G
Romer
H
H
Götze
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires