Stress and coping in siblings of childhood cancer patients

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe cognitive and behavioral coping strategies used by siblings of pediatric oncology patients. Fifteen families with 26 siblings between 7 and 11 years of age were studied. Parent data were obtained from an open-ended interview and a questionnaire. Sibling data included open-ended interviews using psychosocial assessments through puppet play, kinetic family drawings, cartoon story telling, a sentence completion test, and a limited number of direct questions. Content analysis of sibling data revealed major stressor themes of loss, fear of death, and change. Further analysis of sibling data pertinent to coping efforts led to the development of a taxonomy of cognitive and behavioral coping efforts.