The desire for children among adult survivors of childhood cancer: Psychometric evaluation of a cancer-specific questionnaire and relations with sociodemographic and psychological characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
Long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are less likely to become parents than their peers of the same age. Previous research has suggested that besides fertility, this outcome is shaped by psychosocial factors such as emotional motives toward having a child. Drawing from a sample of CCS with survival times >25 years, we present the validation of a questionnaire assessing cancer-specific reproductive motives and concerns.


METHODS
We evaluated the cancer-specific version of the Leipzig Questionnaire of Motives to have a Child (LKM-C) in a register-based sample of adult CCS (N = 632, 31% had children, 44.5% women). We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and tested associations with sociodemographic characteristics and psychological symptoms (PHQ-9, GAD-2).


RESULTS
The questionnaire showed good item discrimination parameters and reliability (α = 0.86). The two-factorial structure was confirmed with the independent scales "return to normalcy" and "illness-related worries (child's/own health)." On average, CCS reported more motives in favor of a child than worries (P < .001; d = 1.12). Favorable attitudes were associated with the presence of a partnership and children, stronger current desire for a child, and fewer depressive symptoms. Worries were associated with an unfulfilled desire to have a child and elevated levels of depression and anxiety symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The LKM-C offers a brief measure of parenthood motivations in long-term CCS. Having a child signifies return to normalcy, health, fulfillment of life perspectives, and enrichment of the partnership. Less intense worries included illnesses of the child and concerns regarding one's own health. The questionnaire could inform follow-up care, psychotherapy, and fertility treatments.
['Ernst|Mareike|M|0000-0003-4952-9717', 'Brähler|Elmar|E|', 'Wild|Philipp S|PS|', 'Faber|Jörg|J|', 'Merzenich|Hiltrud|H|', 'Beutel|Manfred E|ME|']
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological D000328:Adult D001007:Anxiety D000073116:Cancer Survivors D005190:Family D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009042:Motivation D009369:Neoplasms D010290:Parents D011788:Quality of Life D015203:Reproducibility of Results D012649:Self Concept D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D055815:Young Adult
desire for children cancer childhood cancer survivors parenthood family planning oncology survivorship