Attachment orientations and psychological adjustment of parents of children with cancer: A matched-group comparison

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the impact of childhood cancer on parents' adult attachment, social support, marital adjustment, anxiety, and depression. Methods: 30 parents of children with childhood cancer and 30 matched controls completed the following questionnaires: Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Dyadic Adjustment Scale-4, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – form Y, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Parents of children with childhood cancer had a significantly lower dyadic adjustment than controls, and higher levels of insecure-avoidant attachment, state anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: It is important for health-care personnel to take into account these parents' propensity to show increased levels of avoidant attachment during children's treatment to foster effective communication and supportive relationships between clinicians, pediatric patients, and parents.

KEYWORDS:

• attachment orientations
• childhood cancer
• dyadic adjustment
• oncology
• parents

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all participants for their efforts. We also thank Frances Coburn for her skillful assistance. This study received no funding from third parties.