Brief Report: Pediatric Cancer, Parental Coping Style, and Risk for Depressive, Posttraumatic Stress, and Anxiety Symptoms

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: According to the stress and coping goodness of fit model, parents' risk for psychological symptoms was hypothesized to decrease as a function of using emotional regulation and problem appraisal strategies more frequently, and to increase as a function of using problem-solving and avoidant behaviors more frequently to cope with an uncontrollable stressor--pediatric cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Parents (N = 150) completed measures of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and coping style. RESULTS: Regression analyses revealed that symptoms decreased as a function of using problem appraisal and an emotional regulation strategy (social support) more frequently; and increased as a function of using problem-solving strategies, avoidant coping (substance use), and another emotional regulation strategy (negative self-blame) more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide some support for the model but suggest that the method of coping (e.g., social support) might be considered in addition to the focus of the coping strategy (e.g., emotional regulation).