Adjustment of children and their mothers with breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: To examine the adjustment of children of mothers with both active and nonactive breast cancers in comparison with a healthy community control sample.

Methods: Participants included 80 mothers and their children. Half of the mothers had breast cancer or a history of breast cancer. Children in both groups ranged in age from 8 to 19 years. Assessments included measures of maternal stressors and resources, maternal and child adjustment and posttraumatic stress, and maternal coping and illness uncertainty reported by both mothers and their children.

Results: Few differences were found between the groups, although there was a trend for girls of mothers with breast cancer to have a higher frequency of depressive symptoms. Children of mothers who perceived support from friends and family had fewer depressive symptoms, after we controlled for child gender.

Conclusions: The social support perceived by mothers with breast cancer may serve as a protective factor for their children's psychological adjustment.