[Psychoeducational Group Interventions for Families with Parental Cancer]

Psychoeducational Group Interventions for Families with Parental Cancer Parental cancer constitutes a risk factor for the psychological development of all family members. Studies show that children as well as parents suffer losses in their quality of life and their psychological well-being and that participation in a psychological intervention results in an improvement of these parameters. This study examines two group interventions (children group for children with parents suffering from cancer; parental seminar for cancer patients and their partners) in comparison to a waiting group. The target parameters quality of life and psychological well-being of the three groups are compared on the basis of a variance analysis with repeated measurements with three measurement dates (pre, post and follow-up) and the intensity of effects (eta2) is being determined. Participants of the intervention groups show significant improvements in their values. The individual direct participants of the groups (children, parents) benefit most markedly from the interventions but also the other, non-participating family members show improvements in their parameters. The results also show that restrictions in the quality of life of the parents and children are not being reduced by themselves over time without intervention but remain evenly on a low level or are even being declined. Therefore, it is advisable to offer intervention to families with a parent suffering from cancer.