The evaluation of depression, anxiety and quality of life in children living with parental cancer: A case-control study

Abstract

Objective: Parental cancers may have adverse effects on children and adolescents. The majority of studies on this subject have been performed in Western societies, and few have investigated quality of life in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms in children living with parental cancer. Method: The case group consisted of 50 children, aged 8-16 years old, with a parent diagnosed with cancer. A group of 50 children, aged and gender matched, with healthy parents was included as the control group. All subjects were administered the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCAD-S) to assess the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Parents completed the Questionnaire for Quality of Life Assessment for Children and Adolescents: Parent Form to determine the child's quality of life. Results: Depression (p=0.011) and anxiety (p=0.011) scores were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. Among the anxiety disorder symptoms, symptoms of separation anxiety were more common in case group (p=0.032). Compared to the control group, the case group reported a significantly lower quality of life (p=0.045). Discussion: Children of parents with cancer may suffer from anxiety and depression that may reduce their quality of life. Clinicians should collaborate with relevant disciplines and have a family-based, multidimensional view when evaluating patients with cancer who have children. Consulting or refering to child psychiatry may be considered when emotional and/or behavioral problems present in children.