Surviving childhood cancer, social support, and parents' psychological adjustment

Assessed whether the continuing emotional strain of parenting a child cancer survivor is associated with elevated levels of psychological distress (depression and anxiety) in parents. The role of social support in moderating this relationship was also evaluated. When parents of cancer survivors (63 mothers and 49 fathers) were compared to a matched sample of parents (64 mothers and 62 fathers) with healthy children there were no differences in levels of depression or anxiety overall but among parents experiencing low levels of social support, parents of cancer survivors were more depressed and anxious than parents of healthy children. Perceived social support has a significant inverse relationship with psychological distress for both parents but seems to be more important for mothers. The elevated risk for psychological distress noted for those experiencing low levels of support appears to be more generalized for fathers than mothers.