Background Multiple studies demonstrated increased risk for psychological symptoms among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and their parents. We aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety among CCS and their parents, examine associations between these measures, and identify potential risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study comprising 118 CCS aged 7–21 years and their parents, at least one year post-treatment. PTSS, depression and anxiety were assessed using validated questionnaires. Medical and sociodemographic data were collected from the medical charts. Results PTSD criteria were met by 8.7% of CCS and 18.3% of parents, about a third reporting post-traumatic stress symptoms. Moderate-to-severe depression occurred in 22% of CCS and 7.6% of parents, and anxiety in 12.7% of CCS and 22% of parents. There were robust positive correlations between depression, anxiety, and PTSS within both CCS and parental self-reports. Parents’ proxy- reports correlated more strongly with their self-report than with CCS self-reports. Predictors of PTSS included time since diagnosis, parent’s education, parent’s sex, type of cancer, and depression and anxiety level. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of screening both children and parents, prioritizing child self-report, and providing tailored, ongoing psychosocial support for CCS and their families. Impact <UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> Our study revealed high rates of psychological symptoms among CCS and their parents during the survivorship phase. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> The dual-informant design using pediatric self-report, parent self-report, and parent-proxy report enabled exploration of interconnections between psychological symptoms of CCS and their parents. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Parents’ perceptions of children’s distress correlated more with their own emotional state than with children’s self-reports, suggesting parental projection. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms, including time since diagnosis, parental education and biological-sex, depression and anxiety. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Our results emphasize the need for screening both children and parents, prioritizing child self-report, and providing tailored, ongoing psychosocial support for CCS and their families. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Post-Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety symptoms among childhood cancer survivors and their parents

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2025年12月26日

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Maya Yardeni,
Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon,
Reut Pienik,
Michal Mashiach-Eizenberg,
Michal Ben Ami,
Eve Stern,
Hana Golan,
Dalia Waldman,
Amos Toren,
Dalit Modan-Moses

摘要

Background

Multiple studies demonstrated increased risk for psychological symptoms among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and their parents. We aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety among CCS and their parents, examine associations between these measures, and identify potential risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study comprising 118 CCS aged 7–21 years and their parents, at least one year post-treatment. PTSS, depression and anxiety were assessed using validated questionnaires. Medical and sociodemographic data were collected from the medical charts.

Results

PTSD criteria were met by 8.7% of CCS and 18.3% of parents, about a third reporting post-traumatic stress symptoms. Moderate-to-severe depression occurred in 22% of CCS and 7.6% of parents, and anxiety in 12.7% of CCS and 22% of parents. There were robust positive correlations between depression, anxiety, and PTSS within both CCS and parental self-reports. Parents’ proxy- reports correlated more strongly with their self-report than with CCS self-reports. Predictors of PTSS included time since diagnosis, parent’s education, parent’s sex, type of cancer, and depression and anxiety level.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of screening both children and parents, prioritizing child self-report, and providing tailored, ongoing psychosocial support for CCS and their families.

Impact

Our study revealed high rates of psychological symptoms among CCS and their parents during the survivorship phase.

The dual-informant design using pediatric self-report, parent self-report, and parent-proxy report enabled exploration of interconnections between psychological symptoms of CCS and their parents.

Parents’ perceptions of children’s distress correlated more with their own emotional state than with children’s self-reports, suggesting parental projection.

Predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms, including time since diagnosis, parental education and biological-sex, depression and anxiety.

Our results emphasize the need for screening both children and parents, prioritizing child self-report, and providing tailored, ongoing psychosocial support for CCS and their families.