Psychosocial functioning of caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors.

Creator(s)

Carolyn R. Bates
Diane Fairclough
Robert B. Noll
Maru E. Barrera
Mary Jo Kupst
Anna Egan, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Maria A. Gartstein
Emily L. Ach
Cynthia A. Gerhardt
Kathryn Vannatta

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2022

Identifier

DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29565

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Assessment of caregiver needs is a recommended standard of care in pediatric oncology. Caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are a subgroup that may be at highest psychosocial risk. This study examined psychosocial functioning of caregivers of PBTS in comparison to caregivers of youth without cancer history. We hypothesized that caregivers of PBTS would exhibit more psychological symptoms, higher caregiver burden, and lower perceptions of social support than caregivers of comparison youth.

PROCEDURE: As part of a five-site study, we utilized a matched sample design to evaluate psychosocial functioning of 301 caregivers of 189 PBTS (ages 8-15) who were 1-5 years post treatment, and 286 caregivers of 187 comparison youth matched for sex, race, and age. Caregivers completed measures of psychological symptoms, caregiver burden, and perceptions of social support. Repeated measures mixed models compared outcomes between groups and examined differences based on caregiver sex. Socioeconomic status (SES) was examined as a moderator of significant main effects.

RESULTS: Caregivers of PBTS reported similar levels of psychological symptoms to caregivers of comparison youth. Mothers of PBTS mothers reported higher caregiver burden and lower perceptions of social support than mothers of comparison youth. Low SES exacerbated group differences in caregiver burden.

CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of PBTS may have more caregiving responsibilities and perceive less social support, but reported similar levels of psychological symptoms to comparison mothers; fathers of PBTS were similar to comparison fathers. The mechanisms involved in this complex psychosocial dynamic require further investigation.

Journal Title

Pediatric blood & cancer

Volume

69

Issue

4

First Page

29565

Last Page

29565

Keywords

brain tumors; caregivers; oncology; pediatric; psychosocial

Comments

Grant support

• R03 CA097740/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States

Recommended Citation

Bates CR, Fairclough D, Noll RB, et al. Psychosocial functioning of caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2022;69(4):e29565. doi:10.1002/pbc.29565