@article{KrattenmacherKuehneHalverscheidetal.2014,
  author    = {Krattenmacher, Thomas and K{\"u}hne, Franziska and Halverscheid, Susanne and Wiegand-Grefe, Silke and Bergelt, Corinna and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit},
  title     = {A comparison of the emotional and behavioral problems of children of patients with cancer or a mental disorder and their association with parental quality of life},
  series = {Journal of psychosomatic research},
  volume    = {76},
  journal   = {Journal of psychosomatic research},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.11.020},
  pages     = {213 -- 220},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {OBJECTIVE To compare the emotional and behavioral problems of children of patients suffering from cancer or a mental disorder and their association with parental quality of life. METHODS A total of 223 children from 136 families and their 160 parents were investigated from multiple perspectives in a cross-sectional study. The consistency of different adjustment reports between family members was examined. Through mixed models, the differences between parental HRQoL and the children's symptomatology were studied with regard to the type of parental illness. The prediction of children's adjustment through parental HRQoL was further examined. Additionally, gender and age of the children were considered. RESULTS Half of the children exhibited psychosocial problems. Gender and age differences were independent of the type of parental disease. In families with parental cancer, the reports of children's adjustment were more consistent between family members than in families where a parental mental disorder was present. We found differences in HRQoL between families with mentally ill parents and those with parental cancer patients. Specifically, the healthy partners of mentally ill parents showed worse HRQoL compared with healthy partners of cancer patients. Healthy parents' reduced HRQoL was associated with worse adjustment in their children, regardless of the type of parental illness, but this result was not found for ill parents. CONCLUSION Family members confronted with parental cancer or mental disorders are more burdened compared with those from the normal population, independently of the type of disease. Our results indicate that the type of a parental disease has no direct effect on children's adjustment. However, there are disease-specific effects on parental HRQoL, which are associated with children's adjustment.},
  subject      = {Adolescent},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BultmannBeierleinRomeretal.2014,
  author    = {Bultmann, Johanna Christine and Beierlein, Volker and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit and Koch, Uwe and Bergelt, Corinna},
  title     = {Parental cancer: Health-related quality of life and current psychosocial support needs of cancer survivors and their children},
  series = {International journal of cancer},
  volume    = {135},
  journal   = {International journal of cancer},
  doi       = {10.1002/ijc.28905},
  pages     = {2668 -- 2677},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {The presence of cancer and additional parental responsibilities can increase strain for individual patients as well as for their children. The construct of health-related quality of life (HRQL) is appropriate to measure a combination of physical, mental and social consequences as a result of disease. However, previous research has merely focused on symptom checklists. This study addresses the following questions: (i) does HRQL in children and their parents with cancer differ compared to the general population? (ii) Are there any variables that are associated with HRQL in children? (iii) What are current psychosocial support needs? A population-based survey of 976 survivors (<6 years post diagnosis) with minor children between 6 and 18 years (n = 1,449) was conducted with two German cancer registries. HRQL was assessed using SF-8 (survivors) and Kidscreen (children). The results were compared to normative populations, and predictors associated with HRQL in children were evaluated within a multilevel model. We found that the HRQL in children was better compared to the norm. Only children with support needs had worse HRQL. Older age, having a mother with cancer, having a parent not living together with a partner, and worse parental physical and mental health influenced HRQL in children. Illness characteristics were irrelevant. Even with a mean of 3.5 years after diagnosis, survivors had lower physical and mental health compared to the norm. Our findings reinforce the need for health professionals to pay attention to younger patients and their children. Even years after diagnosis, life might not have returned to normal.},
  subject      = {Adolescent},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MoellerBarkmannKrattenmacheretal.2014,
  author    = {M{\"o}ller, Birgit and Barkmann, Claus and Krattenmacher, Thomas and K{\"u}hne, Franziska and Bergelt, Corinna and Beierlein, Volker and Ernst, Johanna and Br{\"a}hler, Elmar and Flechtner, Hans-Henning and Herzog, Wolfgang and Klitzing, Kai and F{\"u}hrer, Daniel and Resch, Franz and Romer, Georg},
  title     = {Children of cancer patients: prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems},
  series = {Cancer},
  volume    = {120},
  journal   = {Cancer},
  doi       = {10.1002/cncr.28644},
  pages     = {2361 -- 2370},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {BACKGROUND Children of patients with cancer are at increased risk for developing emotional and behavioral problems. This study explored the prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems in Children of cancer patients in a multisite research project. METHODS A cross-sectional sample of N = 235 families was recruited simultaneously in 5 university medical centers. The participants, including parents (N = 402) and children (N = 324; ages 11-21 years) completed standardized questionnaires. Emotional and behavioral problems in children were measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). On the basis of previous research and using a mixed-model approach, child-, parent-, family- and cancer-related variables were examined in addition to socioeconomic status as potential predictors. Descriptive statistics and a multiple random coefficient model were used in the analyses. RESULTS Compared to norms, Children of cancer patients show increased mean levels of emotional and behavioral symptoms. The best predictor of emotional and behavioral problems from the perspectives of the child, the healthy parent, and the ill parent was general family dysfunction. Although family dysfunction was identified as the main predictor, the analysis revealed that the main part of variance was related to the individual child's level. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that screening for child mental health problems and family dysfunction in oncological and psychosocial treatment units can identify the families most in need of psychosocial support. Psychological services need to be both family-oriented and child-centered and focus on family dysfunction to prevent mental health problems in children.},
  subject      = {Adolescent},
  language  = {en}
}