Work

The interaction of family functioning and disease- and treatment-related factors on quality of life for children after cancer

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Children with cancer experience low quality of life (QOL), yet heterogeneity underscores a need to understand how risk and resilience factors interact. This study evaluated if family functioning relates to QOL differentially depending on diagnosis and treatment intensity. METHODS: = 29). Caregivers and children rated QOL and family functioning. Treatment intensity was categorized as low, moderate, or high. Cross-informant moderation models tested hypothesized interactions. RESULTS: Child-reported family functioning significantly interacted with diagnosis and treatment intensity in models of caregiver-reported QOL. More maladaptive family functioning was associated with reduced QOL for children with BT and moderately-intense treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Children with BT and moderate treatment intensities are sensitive to family functioning, highlighting an at-risk group to target for family-level intervention. Future work should evaluate these associations longitudinally.

Source: Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2024.2354298

Authors: Emily L. Moscato, May V. Albee, Ashley Anil, Matthew C. Hocking

Institutions: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute