The Effect of Caregiver Posttraumatic Stress on Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Cancer Patients

Despite medical advances in the treatment of pediatric cancers, a pediatric cancer diagnosis remains associated with a threat to life and often precedes painful and potentially traumatic medical procedures. The current study examined posttraumatic stress, pain, and health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients, as well as the associations between these constructs and caregiver posttraumatic stress. Participants were newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients (n = 21, 6 to 23 years old) and their primary caregivers (n = 21). Patients completed self-report questionnaires rating their posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), pain severity, use of pain coping strategies, and overall and cancer-related health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Caregivers also rated their own PTSS. Results revealed that although neither patients nor caregivers experienced elevated levels of PTSS compared to normative samples, patients did report poorer HRQOL relative to healthy control participants. Results also provided evidence of inverse relationships between patient PTSS and patient HRQOL, caregiver PTSS and patient HRQOL, and patient pain and patient HRQOL, as well as positive relationships between patient pain and both caregiver PTSS and seeking social support (a pain coping strategy). Results also provided preliminary evidence that caregiver PTSS may moderate the relationship between patient pain and patient PTSS. Theoretical findings are discussed in regards to previous studies, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of caregiver PTSS on patients’ psychological and physical functioning. Recommendations regarding important areas of assessment and potential prevention and intervention targets for pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers are also provided.