@article{KrattenmacherKuehneFuehreretal.2012, author = {Krattenmacher, Thomas and K{\"u}hne, Franziska and F{\"u}hrer, Daniel and Ernst, Johanna and Br{\"a}hler, Elmar and Herzog, Wolfgang and Klitzing, Kai and Flechtner, Hans-Henning and Bergelt, Corinna and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit}, title = {Kinder krebskranker Eltern - elterliches Coping, famili{\"a}res Funktionsniveau und psychosoziale Anpassung der Kinder}, series = {Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie}, volume = {61}, journal = {Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie}, issn = {0032-7034}, doi = {10.13109/prkk.2012.61.6.447}, pages = {447 -- 462}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Children exposed to parental cancer have an increased risk of mental health problems. However, the parental illness itself and its features do not predict children's psychological adjustment. Parent- and family-related factors are more predictive for children's well-being and the incidence of psychopathological symptoms, respectively. This study focuses on parental ways of coping with illness from both, the ill and healthy parent's perspective, and the relationship with family functioning and children's adjustment. Results show a significant impact of parental coping styles on children's health-related quality of life and psychopathological symptoms and, furthermore, that this relationship is mediated by aspects of family functioning. This study support the importance of family systems approaches. Implications for further studies and practical issues are discussed.}, subject = {Adaptation}, language = {de} } @article{BeierleinBultmannMoelleretal.2017, author = {Beierlein, Volker and Bultmann, Johanna Christine and M{\"o}ller, Birgit and Klitzing, Kai and Flechtner, Hans-Henning and Resch, Franz and Herzog, Wolfgang and Br{\"a}hler, Elmar and F{\"u}hrer, Daniel and Romer, Georg and Koch, Uwe and Bergelt, Corinna}, title = {Measuring family functioning in families with parental cancer: Reliability and validity of the German adaptation of the Family Assessment Device (FAD)}, series = {Journal of psychosomatic research}, volume = {93}, journal = {Journal of psychosomatic research}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.11.007}, pages = {110 -- 117}, year = {2017}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE The concept of family functioning is gaining importance in psycho-oncology research and health care services. The Family Assessment Device (FAD) is a well-established measure of family functioning. Psychometric properties inherent in the German 51-item adaptation of the FAD are examined in different samples of families with parental cancer. METHODS Acceptance, reliability, and validity of FAD scales are analysed in samples from different study settings (N=1701 cancer patients, N=261 partners, N=158 dependent adolescent children 11 to 18years old). RESULTS Missing items in the FAD scales (acceptance) are rare for adults (<1.1\%) and adolescent children (<4.4\%). In samples of adults and older adolescents (15 to 18years), all FAD scales except for the Roles scale are significantly reliable (0.75≤Cronbach's α≤0.88). The scales correlate highly (0.46≤Pearson's r≤0.59) with the criterion satisfaction with family life (convergent validity), and have smaller correlations (0.16≤r≤0.49) with measures of emotional distress and subjective well-being (divergent validity). In most FAD scales, adults seeking family counselling report worse family functioning (0.24≤Cohen's d≤0.59) than adults in other samples with parental cancer (discriminative validity). CONCLUSION Overall, the German 51-item adaptation of the FAD reveals good acceptance, reliability, and validity for cancer patients and their relatives. Particularly the scale General Functioning shows excellent psychometric properties. The FAD is suitable in the assessment of families with parental cancer for adults and adolescents older than 11years.}, subject = {Adolescent}, language = {en} } @article{BergeltErnstBeierleinetal.2012, author = {Bergelt, Corinna and Ernst, Johanna Christine and Beierlein, Volker and Inhestern, Laura and Holes, Sarah and M{\"o}ller, Birgit and Romer, Georg and Koch, Uwe}, title = {Reaktive Ver{\"a}nderungen in Befinden und Verhalten von Kindern bei elterlicher Krebserkrankung--Ergebnisse einer epidemiologischen Patientenbefragung}, series = {Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie}, volume = {61}, journal = {Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie}, issn = {0032-7034}, doi = {10.13109/prkk.2012.61.6.378}, pages = {378 -- 395}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Children of cancer patients are at risk for developing psychological symptoms. The parental appraisal of the child's psychological condition is a key variable for the utilization of child-centred psychosocial services. This study aimed at the systematic analysis of parental appraisals of changes in the emotional condition or behaviour of their children. We conducted an epidemiologic survey with a sample size of 1,809 patients with different cancer diagnoses, giving information about 2,581 children aged 21 years or younger at time of diagnosis. Quantitative information on children's distress during the disease and on changes in psychological condition or behaviour and qualitative information on the kind of changes were analysed. About half of the children were considered to be psychologically strongly affected during the disease. For about 25 \% negative changes in psychological condition or behaviour are reported, positive changes are reported for 20 \% of the children. Negative changes are most frequently described in young children (up to five years), positive changes are most frequently described in young adults (18 to 21 years). The results indicate that from the cancer parent's view many children are substantially distressed. Thus, the implementation of additional preventive psychosocial services seems reasonable and necessary.}, subject = {Adolescent}, language = {de} } @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{ErnstBeierleinRomeretal.2011, author = {Ernst, Johanna Christine and Beierlein, Volker and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit and Koch, Uwe and Bergelt, Corinna}, title = {Psychosoziale Versorgung von Kindern mit einem an Krebs erkrankten Elternteil - Eine Bestandsaufnahme spezifischer Versorgungsangebote in Deutschland}, series = {Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie}, volume = {61}, journal = {Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie}, doi = {10.1055/s-0031-1286303}, pages = {426 -- 434}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Children of a parent having cancer are at greater risk to develop mental health problems. Aim is to investigate specific psychosocial care for children having a parent with cancer, as well as to characterize and assess utilization and needs of affected minor children. Employees of institutions in Germany supplying psychosocial care to families with a parent having cancer were surveyed, using a semi-structured interview (n = 29). Specific psychosocial care for affected children is limited and heterogeneous in Germany. Regarding different distress stages of those families, the situation could be interpreted as eligible. However, this primarily reflects the low quality assurance of care. Results suggest that in addition to preventive care needs of children having a parent with cancer, increased needs exist in specific risk constellations, like in single parent families.}, subject = {Adult}, language = {de} } @article{BeckerGjergjiLamaRomeretal.2014, author = {Becker, Inga and Gjergji-Lama, Voltisa and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit}, title = {Merkmale von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Geschlechtsdysphorie in der Hamburger Spezialsprechstunde}, series = {Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie}, volume = {63}, journal = {Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie}, issn = {0032-7034}, pages = {486 -- 509}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Given the increasing demand for counselling in gender dysphoria in childhood in Germany, there is a definite need for empirical data on characteristics and developmental trajectories of this clinical group. This study aimed to provide a first overview by assessing demographic characteristics and developmental trajectories of a group of gender variant boys and girls referred to the specialised Gender Identity Clinic in Hamburg. Data were extracted from medical charts, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis methods. Categories were set up by inductive-deductive reasoning based on the patients' parents' and clinicians' information in the files. Between 2006 and 2010, 45 gender variant children and adolescents were seen by clinicians; 88.9\% (n = 40) of these were diagnosed with gender identity disorder (ICD-10). Within this group, the referral rates for girls were higher than for boys (1:1.5). Gender dysphoric girls were on average older than the boys and a higher percentage of girls was referred to the clinic at the beginning of adolescence (> 12 years of age). At the same time, more girls reported an early onset age. More girls made statements about their (same-sex) sexual orientation during adolescence and wishes for gender confirming medical interventions. More girls than boys revealed self-mutilation in the past or present as well as suicidal thoughts and/or attempts. Results indicate that the presentation of clinically referred gender dysphoric girls differs from the characteristics boys present in Germany; especially with respect to the most salient age differences. Therefore, these two groups require different awareness and individual treatment approaches.}, subject = {Adolescent}, language = {de} } @article{KuehneKrattenmacherBeierleinetal.2012, author = {K{\"u}hne, Franziska and Krattenmacher, Thomas and Beierlein, Volker and Grimm, Johann Christian and Bergelt, Corinna and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit}, title = {Minor Children of Palliative Patients: A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Family Interventions}, series = {Journal of Palliative Medicine}, volume = {15}, journal = {Journal of Palliative Medicine}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1089/JPM.2011.0380}, pages = {931 -- 945}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @article{KuehneKrattenmacherBergeltetal.2013, author = {K{\"u}hne, Franziska and Krattenmacher, Thomas and Bergelt, Corinna and Beierlein, Volker and Herzog, Wolfgang and V Klitzing, Kai and Weschenfelder-Stachwitz, Heike and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit}, title = {There is still so much ahead of us - Family functioning in families of palliative cancer patients}, series = {Families, systems \& health : the journal of collaborative family healthcare}, volume = {31}, journal = {Families, systems \& health : the journal of collaborative family healthcare}, doi = {10.1037/a0032274}, pages = {181 -- 193}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Adopting a systems approach, parental cancer has its impact on patients, spouses, and dependent children. The purpose of the current study was to examine family functioning dependent on parental disease stage and on family member perspective in families of cancer patients with adolescent children. The cross-sectional study was conducted within a German multisite research project of families before their first child-centered counseling encounter. The sample comprised individuals nested within N = 169 families. Analyses performed included analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and intraclass correlation. Open answers were analyzed following quantitative content analysis procedures. Between 15\% and 36\% of family members reported dysfunctional general functioning scores. Parents indicated more dysfunctional scores on the Family Assessment Device scale Roles, and adolescents more dysfunctional Communication scores. Regarding assessment of family functioning, there was higher agreement in families with parents in a palliative situation. For adolescents with parents in palliation, incidents because of the disease tend to become more dominant, and spending time with the family tends to become even more important. As our study pointed out, parental cancer, and especially parental palliative disease, is associated with both perceived critical and positive aspects in family functioning. Supporting families in these concerns as well as encouraging perceptions of positive aspects are important components of psycho-oncological interventions for families with dependent children.}, subject = {Adolescent}, language = {en} } @article{KuehneKrattenmacherBergeltetal.2013, author = {K{\"u}hne, Franziska and Krattenmacher, Thomas and Bergelt, Corinna and Bierbaum, Anna-Lena and Christine Ernst, Johanna and Flechtner, Hans-Henning and Keller, Monika and Klitzing, Kai V. and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit}, title = {Elternschaft und Krebserkrankung: Dyadische Analyse von psychosozialer Belastung und gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualit{\"a}t von krebskranken Eltern minderj{\"a}hriger Kinder}, series = {Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie}, volume = {63}, journal = {Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie}, doi = {10.1055/s-0033-1341454}, pages = {473 -- 481}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The purpose of this study was the analysis of psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of parents with minor children during curative resp. palliative treatment.Cross-sectional design with a sample of N=89 parent dyads. Dyadic analysis of demographic, illness and family variables via mixed linear models.Patients and healthy partners indicated psychological distress on different subscales. Intradyadic correlations were small-moderate. Most important predictors of psychological distress and HRQoL were treatment stadium, gender, family functioning, and employment status.Dependent on demographic variables, psychooncological support was evident mainly for parents in palliative care and for families with dysfunctional functioning.}, subject = {Adult}, language = {de} } @article{KuehneKrattenmacherBergeltetal.2012, author = {K{\"u}hne, Franziska and Krattenmacher, Thomas and Bergelt, Corinna and Ernst, Johanna C. and Flechtner, Hans-Henning and F{\"u}hrer, Daniel and Herzog, Wolfgang and Klitzing, Kai V. and Romer, Georg and M{\"o}ller, Birgit}, title = {Parental palliative cancer: psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life in adolescents participating in a German family counselling service}, series = {BMC palliative care}, volume = {11}, journal = {BMC palliative care}, doi = {10.1186/1472-684X-11-21}, pages = {21}, year = {2012}, abstract = {UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Parental palliative disease is a family affair, however adolescent's well-being and coping are still rarely considered. The objectives of this paper were a) to identify differences in psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescents and young adults with parents suffering from palliative cancer or cancers in other disease stages, b) to relate psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life to adolescent coping, and c) to explore significant mediator and predictor variables. METHODS Cross-sectional data were derived from a multi-site research study of families before child-centered counselling. N=86 adolescents and young adults were included, their mean age 13.78 years (sd 2.45), 56\% being female. Performed analyses included ANCOVA, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis. RESULTS Adolescents with parents suffering from palliative cancers reported significantly less total psychosocial problems, and better overall HRQoL. There were no significant group differences regarding coping frequency and efficacy. Our set of coping items significantly mediated the effect of parental disease stage on psychosocial problems and HRQoL. Further, parental disease status and general family functioning predicted psychosocial problems (R2adj =.390) and HRQoL (R2adj =.239) best. CONCLUSION The study indicates distress among adolescents throughout the entire parental disease process. Our analysis suggests that counselling services could offer supportive interventions which focus particularly on adolescent coping as well as family functioning.}, language = {en} }