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. 2021 Oct 18;46(10):1172-1181.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsab092.

Family Adjustment to Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant During COVID-19

Marie L Chardon  1 , Kimberly L Klages  1 , Naomi E Joffe  1   2   3 , Ahna L H Pai  1   2   3
Affiliations

Family Adjustment to Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant During COVID-19

Marie L Chardon et al. J Pediatr Psychol. .

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for families across the world due to fears about infection risk, increased social isolation, and significant changes in family roles and routines. Families with a child undergoing pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) may be at even greater risk for poor adjustment during COVID-19 given their child's increased risk for infection. The purpose of the current study was to qualitatively examine the impact of COVID-19 on family adjustment during pediatric HCT to inform clinical care.

Methods: Twenty-nine caregivers of children (≤12 years) who underwent an HCT within the past 2 years completed semi-structured qualitative interviews and demographic questionnaires in the first 4 months following initial COVID-19 quarantine.

Results: Twenty-two themes emerged from the interviews using grounded theory methodology. Although nearly half of caregivers described COVID-19 as a stressor, 69% of caregivers reported adequate adjustment to COVID-19. Caregivers generally attributed their positive adjustment to HCT preparing the family for COVID-19 and more difficult adjustment to increased physical or social isolation and COVID-19 amplifying germ fears. The child's HCT treatment status also had important implications on family adjustment to COVID-19.

Conclusions: Results suggest that families undergoing pediatric HCT are uniquely prepared to cope with the impacts of a global pandemic; however, families experiencing certain risk factors (e.g., more recent transplant, impaired access to social support, reduced access to coping tools) may experience poorer adjustment during pandemics such as COVID-19 and may benefit from increased psychosocial support from their healthcare team.

Keywords: COVID-19; caregiver adjustment; hematology/oncology; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; pediatric.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conceptual model of HCT families’ adjustment to COVID-19. Note: Themes are italicized. aGlobal categories of themes. bGrouping of themes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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