LATE PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSEQUENCES FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO SURVIVED CANCER

Investigated late psychosocial sequelae in 133 parents of children who survived cancer, using questionnaires developed To measure the specif ic impact of the disease. Childhood cancer had distinct and persistent late psychosocial effects on parents of survivors, Uncertainty and lo neliness were the most reported problems, Demographic and situational characteristics such as being a mother, low SES, no religious affiliat ion, chronic disease in a family member other than the child surviving cancer, and concurrent stresses increased the risk of reporting late problems. Treatment itself had little or no effect on reported problem s, However, when treatment led to long-term sequelae in the child, a s ignificant and specific effect on parental problems was observed. No d ecline of problems over time was found, which has implications for pat ient care.