Protocol Number: 09-M-0194

Title:

Characterizing Lone Parenting: A Multi-Institutional Pilot Study of the Perceptions of Support and Perceived Stress of Lone Parents of Children with Cancer

Number:

09-M-0194

Summary:

This study will describe the perceptions of support and distress outcomes of single/lone parents of a child with cancer.

Background:

- Parents and families of children with chronic illnesses have stressors, including financial stress, role strains, separations, and interruptions in daily routines and plans for the future. All of these experiences may lead directly and indirectly to parental stress.

- The number of families headed by single or lone parents is increasing. Little work has been done to better understand if the needs of parents who are providing care for a child on their own differ from parents who do not classify themselves as lone. Identifying parents who may need additional support within a pediatric oncology setting is very important so that appropriate support is provided.

Objectives:

- To better understand the social, emotional, and practical effects of lone parents on children with cancer.

Eligibility:

- All parents whose child has been diagnosed with cancer between 6 and 18 months before enrolling on the study.

- Participants must be able to speak and read English

Design:

- Parents will be asked to complete a questionnaire during one of their child's clinic or hospital visits.

- The questionnaire will ask about the parenting experience since the child was diagnosed with cancer. It will ask about the support the parent has received from family and friends since the diagnosis.

- The questionnaire will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1.) Parents or primary guardians of children (ages 6 months through 17 years) with any malignancy whose child is 6-18 months post-diagnosis.

2.) Ability to give informed consent.

3.) English speaking

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1.) Severe psychological distress which - in the judgment of the Principal or Associate Investigators at each respective collection site- would compromise the participant's ability to understand the questionnaire or is likely to interfere with the study procedures or results.

2.) Relapse of malignancy

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Cancer

Psychosocial Stress

Parenting

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Psychosocial Stress

Parenting

Cancer

Condition(s):

Cancer

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Mental Health

Contact(s):

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Barakat LP, Kazak AE, Meadows AT, Casey R, Meeske K, Stuber ML. Families surviving childhood cancer: a comparison of posttraumatic stress symptoms with families of healthy children. J Pediatr Psychol. 1997 Dec;22(6):843-59.

Barrera M, D'Agostino NM, Gibson J, Gilbert T, Weksberg R, Malkin D. Predictors and mediators of psychological adjustment in mothers of children newly diagnosed with cancer. Psychooncology. 2004 Sep;13(9):630-41.

Brown RT, Wiener L, Kupst MJ, Brennan T, Behrman R, Compas BE, David Elkin T, Fairclough DL, Friebert S, Katz E, Kazak AE, Madan-Swain A, Mansfield N, Mullins LL, Noll R, Patenaude AF, Phipps S, Sahler OJ, Sourkes B, Zeltzer L. Single parents of children with chronic illness: an understudied phenomenon. J Pediatr Psychol. 2008 May;33(4):408-21. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Clinical Research Informatics, CC.

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