Posttraumatic stress symptoms and stressful life events predict the long-term adjustment of survivors of childhood cancer and their mothers

Objectives: To examine prospectively the impact of posttraumatic stress sym ptoms (PTSS) in response to childhood cancer and treatment on general adjus tment while accounting for the role of other stressful life events and appr aisal of life threat and treatment intensity. Methods: As part of a larger study assessing PTSS, 56 childhood cancer survivors, aged 8 to 18, and 65 m others completed self-report measures of PTSS and appraisal of the intensit y and life threat associated with cancer treatment at time 1 and self-repor t measures of stressful life events and general adjustment at time 2 (appro ximately 18 months after time 1). Results: For child survivors and their mo thers, posttraumatic stress at time 1 significantly predicted general adjus tment at time 2, over and above the significant contribution of lifetime st ressful events. The life events variable did not function as a mediator in the association of PTSS and general adjustment. Conclusions: Trauma respons es to childhood cancer and its treatment have implications for the long-ter m adaptation of children and their families. Early signs and symptoms of po sttraumatic stress and stressful life experiences require early assessment and intervention.