Decreasing psychological distress during the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric leukemia

A literature review was performed to explore the experiences of parents during their child's diagnosis of leukemia. The findings revealed that anxiety is a major reaction to the diagnosis. Because of the parents' reactions, communication barriers and parental role changes are established between the parent and child. The lack of communication between the parent and child during diagnosis and treatment and parental role changes produce negative outcomes. Negative outcomes place the parent and child at risk for experiencing anxiety years after the illness is treated. This literature review describes positive outcomes that can be accomplished by decreasing the anxiety of parents, which leads to a decrease in communication barriers and parental role changes during the new diagnosis of leukemia. Interventions are provided to increase the support and resources of parents during this phase of the disease. Future research may focus on interventions to decrease anxiety, which will increase communication, produce positive outcomes for treatment, and decrease stress years after the disease is treated.