TY  - JOUR
A1  - Möller, Birgit
A1  - Barkmann, Claus
A1  - Krattenmacher, Thomas
A1  - Kühne, Franziska
A1  - Bergelt, Corinna
A1  - Beierlein, Volker
A1  - Ernst, Johanna
A1  - Brähler, Elmar
A1  - Flechtner, Hans-Henning
A1  - Herzog, Wolfgang
A1  - Klitzing, Kai
A1  - Führer, Daniel
A1  - Resch, Franz
A1  - Romer, Georg
T1  - Children of cancer patients: prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems
JF  - Cancer
N2  - 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.
KW  - Adolescent
KW  - Adult
KW  - Child
KW  - Child Behavior Disorders/etiology
KW  - Child of Impaired Parents/psychology
KW  - Female
KW  - Humans
KW  - Male
KW  - Mental Disorders/etiology
KW  - Neoplasms/psychology
KW  - Parents/psychology
KW  - Prevalence
KW  - Risk Factors
KW  - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW  - Young Adult
Y1  - 2014
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cncr.28644
VL  - 120
SP  - 2361
EP  - 2370
ER  -