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Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Stressful Life Events Predict the Long-term Adjustment of Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Their Mothers

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Abstract

Objectives: To examine prospectively the impact of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in response to childhood cancer and treatment on general adjustment while accounting for the role of other stressful life events and appraisal of life threat and treatment intensity. Methods: As part of a larger study assessing PTSS, 56 childhood cancer survivors, aged 8 to 18, and 65 mothers completed self-report measures of PTSS and appraisal of the intensity and life threat associated with cancer treatment at time 1 and self-report measures of stressful life events and general adjustment at time 2 (approximately 18 months after time 1). Results: For child survivors and their mothers, posttraumatic stress at time 1 significantly predicted general adjustment at time 2, over and above the significant contribution of lifetime stressful events. The life events variable did not function as a mediator in the association of PTSS and general adjustment. Conclusions: Trauma responses to childhood cancer and its treatment have implications for the long-term adaptation of children and their families. Early signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress and stressful life experiences require early assessment and intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

    Lamia P. Barakat

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

    Anne E. Kazak

  3. Division of Biostatistics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

    Paul R. Gallagher

  4. Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, USA

    Kathleen Meeske

  5. Neuropsychiatric Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, USA

    Margaret Stuber

Authors
  1. Lamia P. Barakat
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  2. Anne E. Kazak
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  3. Paul R. Gallagher
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  4. Kathleen Meeske
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  5. Margaret Stuber
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Barakat, L.P., Kazak, A.E., Gallagher, P.R. et al. Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Stressful Life Events Predict the Long-term Adjustment of Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Their Mothers. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings 7, 189–196 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009516928956

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