Parenting and Child Distress During Cancer Procedures: A Multidimensional Assessment

Abstract

We examined the relationship between children's distress during invasive cancer procedures and parent anxiety, parent disciplinary attitudes, and parent behavior during the medical procedure. Sixty-six children with cancer and their parents were evaluated during a routine bone marrow aspiration. Significantly higher levels of distress were obtained for young (under age 8) versus older children. Patterns of relationships with parent variables also varied by age. Anxious parents of young children reported relying on less effective discipline strategies. They also were less reassuring prior to to medical procedure. Age differences in the correlations between child distress and parenting are discussed in terms of developmental differences in children's dependence on caregivers for emotional regulation and control. Implications for clinical distress reduction programs are also discussed.