Presenter Status
Resident/Psychology Intern
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Carolyn R. Bates, Ph.D.
Start Date
13-5-2021 11:30 AM
End Date
13-5-2021 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Background: A new diagnosis of pediatric cancer diagnosis is a sudden and tremendous stressor to families (Long & Marsland, 2011). The COVID-19 pandemic presented an acute, universal stressor that impacted daily life around the world (Brooks et al., 2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer and their families is not yet known.
Objectives/Goal: The current study is a pilot investigation of COVID-19 exposure and impact among a sample of families with a child being treated for cancer.
Methods/Design: Primary caregivers (N=22) of a child (M age=7.4, SD=4.6) who was diagnosed with cancer within the last 18 months (M=10.3 months, SD=4.7) and on active treatment completed surveys between AugustSeptember 2020. Children were in treatment for leukemia (68%), lymphoma (9%), and CNS or solid tumors (22%). COVID-19 exposure and impact were assessed by the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS, Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress, 2020). Caregiver distress was assessed by the Psychosocial Assessment Tool 2.0 (Pai et al., 2008).
Results: Pearson correlations revealed positive associations between COVID-19 impact and exposure (r(20)=.49, p=.022). Independent samples t-tests showed that significantly greater COVID-19 impact was endorsed by caregivers of children with leukemia (M=32.87, SD=10.4), when compared to other types of cancer (M=19.71, SD=6.15; t(18.5)=3.70, p10 months ago, M=34.27, SD=10.55), in comparison to those diagnosed more recently (i.e., within 10 months, M=23.09, SD=8.75, t(20)=-2.70 p
Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the impact of COVID-19 on families of children with cancer may vary based on the timing and type of pediatric cancer diagnosis.
MeSH Keywords
COVID-19; Family; Psycho-Oncology; Parents
Additional Files
Impact of COVID-19 on Families with a Child in Cancer Treatment.pdf (138 kB)Abstract
Included in
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Oncology Commons, Pediatrics Commons
Impact of COVID-19 on Families with a Child in Cancer Treatment
Background: A new diagnosis of pediatric cancer diagnosis is a sudden and tremendous stressor to families (Long & Marsland, 2011). The COVID-19 pandemic presented an acute, universal stressor that impacted daily life around the world (Brooks et al., 2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer and their families is not yet known.
Objectives/Goal: The current study is a pilot investigation of COVID-19 exposure and impact among a sample of families with a child being treated for cancer.
Methods/Design: Primary caregivers (N=22) of a child (M age=7.4, SD=4.6) who was diagnosed with cancer within the last 18 months (M=10.3 months, SD=4.7) and on active treatment completed surveys between AugustSeptember 2020. Children were in treatment for leukemia (68%), lymphoma (9%), and CNS or solid tumors (22%). COVID-19 exposure and impact were assessed by the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS, Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress, 2020). Caregiver distress was assessed by the Psychosocial Assessment Tool 2.0 (Pai et al., 2008).
Results: Pearson correlations revealed positive associations between COVID-19 impact and exposure (r(20)=.49, p=.022). Independent samples t-tests showed that significantly greater COVID-19 impact was endorsed by caregivers of children with leukemia (M=32.87, SD=10.4), when compared to other types of cancer (M=19.71, SD=6.15; t(18.5)=3.70, p10 months ago, M=34.27, SD=10.55), in comparison to those diagnosed more recently (i.e., within 10 months, M=23.09, SD=8.75, t(20)=-2.70 p
Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the impact of COVID-19 on families of children with cancer may vary based on the timing and type of pediatric cancer diagnosis.
