Posttraumatic stress and general distress among parents of children surviving a brain tumor.

Posttraumatic stress and general distress among parents of children surviving a brain tumor.

Fuemeller B; Mullins L; Marx B

Children's Health Care

2001

Parents; Longitudinal Studies; Children; Psychological; Stress; Disorders; Post-Traumatic

In this preliminary study we examined both posttraumatic stress and general distress among parents of children diagnosed with a brain tumor. Participants included 28 parents of children diagnosed with a brain rumor who completed self-report measures of posttraumatic stress, general distress, coping, and illness uncertainty. Findings revealed that participants reported high levels of posttraumatic stress and general distress. Greater levels of emotion-focused coping and perceived uncertainty were associated with a higher frequency of both posttraumatic stress symptoms and general distress. However, perceived uncertainty was the strongest predictor of both indexes of distress. Emotion-focused coping predicted general distress, but not posttraumatic stress symptom severity. Overall, parents of children surviving a brain tumor appear to be at risk for both posttraumatic stress and general distress. Uncertainty in illness may constitute a primary risk factor for adjustment problems.

2001

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