| Cancer Control Research: Active Research Grant Portfolio: Abstracts
Parental Beliefs in Pediatric Oncology: Changing Beliefs
Kazak, Anne E
R01 CA88828
The diagnosis of childhood cancer affects the family and continues to impact parental functioning after treatment ends. Our previous research showed the persistence of parents' distressing symptoms of post-traumatic stress and its association with anxiety. In this proposal, we focus on the identification of parental beliefs associated with anxiety and adaptation during treatment for childhood cancer, and conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a cognitive-behavioral and family therapy intervention for parents of newly diagnosed children with cancer. The three-session intervention, Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program, Revised (SCCIP-R) is an adaptation of our intervention protocol for survivors of childhood cancer and their families. The first step in the project is the systemic identification of mothers' and fathers' beliefs about the disease and treatment in a sample of 120 families of children in families at diagnosis of childhood cancer, randomized to SCCLP-R intervention or an attention control condition. Baseline, 2 and 6-month data collections will include self-report measures of parental anxiety, psychological adjustment and family. Parent and staff report will assess child quality of life. We will determine the effects of parental anxiety and its reduction on the child's quality of life. In a sub-sample of 62 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we will examine the associations of parental anxiety with parental neuroendocrine markers (DHEA-S/cortosol ratio, ACTH, Substance P) and explore the associations among lowered levels of parental anxiety and medical outcomes. Finally, we will assess the long-term impact of SCCIP-R by assessing parental and patient posttraumatic stress at two points after cancer treatment ends. To our knowledge, this project is unique in providing a RCT of an intervention to reduce parental distress after diagnosis of childhood cancer and in the integration of neuroendocrine markers and medical outcome. If effective, SCCIP-R would provide evidence for the feasibility and importance of providing systemic intervention with families of patients with cancer.
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