Psychological distress and coping strategies in parents of children with cancer in Lebanon.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) among parents of Lebanese children with cancer and to investigate the associated stressors and coping strategies.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center-Children Cancer Center of Lebanon in 2012. Parents of all children with cancer admitted for treatment were eligible participants. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to estimate the prevalence of PD. Coping strategies were measured via the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between GHQ-12 (scores 0-36), stressors, family/social support, and coping strategies.


RESULTS
One hundred fourteen parents (68.2%) completed the anonymous questionnaire. Based on GHQ-12, significant PD was considered among 56.0% of the parents. It was found to be significantly positively associated with the degree of family financial problems and significantly negatively associated with the child's disease duration. A significant negative relationship was also found between PD and Coping (CHIP) scale, coping pattern I (Maintaining Family Integration and an Optimistic Outlook for the Situation), pattern II (Seeking Social Support), yet not with pattern III (Seeking Information).


CONCLUSIONS
PD is prevalent among parents of Lebanese children hospitalized because of cancer. Screening for PD in the latter population is feasible, would identify those who are at risk for disruptive PD, and facilitate the provision of support towards better adjustment and coping. Alleviating parental PD may facilitate the realization of optimal health outcomes.
['Lakkis|Najla A|NA|', 'Khoury|Joseph M|JM|', 'Mahmassani|Dina M|DM|', 'Ramia|Maria S|MS|', 'Hamadeh|Ghassan N|GN|']
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007861:Lebanon D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009369:Neoplasms D010290:Parents D015995:Prevalence D011788:Quality of Life D012044:Regression Analysis D012944:Social Support D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D013315:Stress, Psychological D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
coping strategies cancer oncology parental psychological distress pediatric