Posttraumatic stress disorder in mothers of pediatric cancer survivors

Author(s): Goldenberg, B., Kaplan, S., Weinblatt, M., Mandel, F., Meyers, B., Vinciguerra, V.

Journal/Book: Psychosomatics. 1996; 37: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 116-126.

Abstract: Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 24 mothers of pediatric cancer survivors was compared with its prevalence among 23 mothers of healthy children. Significantly more mothers of pediatric cancer survivors were diagnosed with lifetime PTSD. Significant differences were also found in lifetime arousal, as well as current and lifetime reexperience and avoidance symptom clusters. Significant difference existed in the distribution of the number of prediagnosis high-magnitude events experienced by the mothers diagnosed with current PTSD as compared with the prediagnosis experience of the mothers who were not diagnosed with current PTSD. Illness severity, level of perceived family and extrafamilial social support, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised global severity index scores did not significantly differ in the PTSD-positive and PTSD-negative groups.

Note: Article D Pelcovitz, Cornell Univ Med Coll, N Shore Univ Hosp, Dept Psychiat, Div Child & Adoloscent Psychiat, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA

Keyword(s): SOCIAL SUPPORT; LIFE EVENTS; CHILDREN; ADJUSTMENT; LEUKEMIA; PARENTS; DISASTER; ILLNESS

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