Mothers of adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer : health beliefs, post-traumatic stress, growth and caregiving practices / Kinjal Doshi.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Doshi, Kinjal.

Contributor:

Kazak, Anne E., advisor.

Chambless, Dianne L., 1948- committee member.

Rozin, Paul, 1936- committee member.

University of Pennsylvania. Psychology.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Penn dissertations--Psychology.

Psychology--Penn dissertations.

Local Subjects:

Penn dissertations--Psychology.

Psychology--Penn dissertations.

Physical Description:

ix, 83 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm

Production:

2012.

Summary:

Mothers of adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors often continue to experience psychosocial challenges related to their child's illness and treatment long after the successful treatment of cancer. Such challenges may affect mothers' personal wellbeing and caregiving practices. Three studies were conducted to explore mothers' beliefs regarding their current and future health concerns, how they manage medical issues, relationships, and health-promoting behaviors. A new self-report scale, the Parental Health Competence Beliefs Inventory (pHCBI), was developed (Study 1) to examine the relationship between these beliefs and mothers' psychological well-being (Study 2) and caregiving behavior (Study 3). Eighty-six mothers of AYA childhood cancer survivors were recruited during their child's regularly scheduled clinic visits. Mothers completed the pHCBI and measures of psychosocial wellbeing, including the Perception of Changes in Self questionnaire (PCS) and Posttraumatic Stress Checklist (PCL-C). Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) identified pHCBI scale factors (Study 1) and domains of posttraumatic growth (PTG) (Study 2). Correlational and regression analyses examined the relationships between beliefs, PTG, and posttraumatic stress (PTS). In Study 3, mixed method analyses were used to identify reasons for attending clinic with their child and to explore relationships between these reasons, mothers' beliefs, and demographic and medical variables. The Study 1 EFA revealed a 23-item four-factor solution for the pHCBI: (a) Social Competence, (b) Health Perceptions, (c) Satisfaction with Healthcare, and (d) Health Apprehension. In Study 2, EFA identified three domains of PTG: (a) Interpersonal Relationships, (b) Life Satisfaction, and (c) Life Outlook. Social Competence was correlated with PTG with respect to Interpersonal Relationships and Life Satisfaction. Health Apprehension moderated the linear relationship between PTS and PTG-Life Satisfaction. Qualitative data revealed 10 reasons mothers give for accompanying their child to their follow-up clinic visit (Study 3). Mothers who report lower Satisfaction with Healthcare continued to attend the survivorship clinic out of Concern for Their Child's Health and Wellbeing. The better understanding of mothers' health-related beliefs and caregiving provided by the results of these studies may be useful in promoting mothers' wellbeing and in helping them to adjust to their AYA survivors' growing independence.

Notes:

Adviser: Anne E. Kazak.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Psychology) -- University of Pennsylvania, 2012.

Includes bibliographical references.

OCLC:

828770048