Posttraumatic stress and general distress among parents of children surviving a brain tumor

In this preliminary study we examined both posttraumatic stress and general distress among parents of children diagnosed with a brain tumor. Participa nts included 28 parents of children diagnosed with a brain tumor who comple ted self-report measures of posttraumatic stress, general distress, coping, and illness uncertainty. Findings revealed that participants reported high levels of posttraumatic stress and general distress. Greater levels of emo tion-focused coping and perceived uncertainty were associated with a higher frequency of both posttraumatic stress symptoms and general distress. Howe ver, perceived uncertainty was the strongest predictor of both indexes of d istress. Emotion-focused coping predicted general distress, but not posttra umatic stress symptom severity. Overall, parents of children surviving a br ain tumor appear to be at risk for both posttraumatic stress and general di stress. Uncertainty in illness may constitute a primary risk factor for adj ustment problems.