Factors Contributing to Posttraumatic Growth and Its Buffering Effect in Adult Children of Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment

Abstract

This study examined relationships among demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables in adult children of cancer patients. Two hundred and fourteen participants completed measures of posttraumatic growth (PTG), distress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, social support, and family functioning. Significant gender differences in all PTG dimensions were found, as well as associations among PTG, gender, parental dependency, distress, PTSD, and family functioning. Social support was not a mediator in the relationship between gender and PTG. Gender, education, disease duration, dependency, distress, and family flexibility predicted PTG. Finally, PTG had a moderating effect in the relationship between distress and PTSD/social support. These results may guide psychosocial interventions in this population.

KEYWORDS:

• posttraumatic growth
• parental cancer
• psychological distress
• caregiving
• chemotherapy

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant reference SFRH/BD/43275/2008).