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The Impact of Pediatric Cancer on the Family

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Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology: Textbook for Multidisciplinary Care

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Abstract

The diagnosis of childhood cancer is a significant stressor that can affect the psychosocial well-being of family members and their interactions with one another from diagnosis, through treatment, to survivorship and/or end of life. Consideration of the impact of cancer in the context of the family system is critical. Many families adjust well after the initial disruption following diagnosis and initiation of treatment. However, there may be increased risk for parent distress, particularly among mothers. Negative effects on family relationships and individual adjustment are also evident for parents and siblings who are bereaved. Supportive care of the family should be multidisciplinary and evidence based to address information needs, decision making, adjustment, and long-term challenges into survivorship or after a child’s death. Implications for future research are highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Psychology, The Ohio State University, 700 Children’s Drive, Rm. JW4992, Columbus, OH, 43201-2696, USA

    Cynthia A. Gerhardt PhD & Vicky Lehmann PhD

  2. Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH, 43201-2696, USA

    Cynthia A. Gerhardt PhD & Vicky Lehmann PhD

  3. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA

    Christina G. Salley PhD

Authors
  1. Cynthia A. Gerhardt PhD
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  2. Christina G. Salley PhD
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  3. Vicky Lehmann PhD
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Correspondence to Cynthia A. Gerhardt PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hemat. Oncol. Massachusetts General Hosp, Div. of Child & Adol. Psychiatry & Pedia, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Annah N. Abrams

  2. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Depart. of Psychosocial Oncol. & Palliat, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Anna C. Muriel

  3. National Cancer Instit. Center for Cance, Pediatric Oncology Branch , Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Lori Wiener

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Gerhardt, C.A., Salley, C.G., Lehmann, V. (2016). The Impact of Pediatric Cancer on the Family. In: Abrams, A., Muriel, A., Wiener, L. (eds) Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology: Textbook for Multidisciplinary Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21374-3_9

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