Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Parents of Patients With Retinoblastoma

Abstract

To assess depression, anxiety, and stress in parents of patients with retinoblastoma and to evaluate the impact of unifocal vs multifocal retinoblastoma. A cross-sectional, self-reported psychological assessment of parents of patients with retinoblastoma at a tertiary care ocular oncology center was performed. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), The Parental Stress Index 4-Short Form, and a retinoblastoma Knowledge Assessment questionnaire were administered. Descriptive statistics for outcomes and comparative analyses were made. There were 138 parents of children with retinoblastoma (unifocal: n= 77, multifocal: n= 61). Overall, parents displayed mild, moderate, or severe depression (BDI) (n= 37, 26.7%); mild, moderate, or severe anxiety (BAI) (n= 49, 35.8%), and stress scores within normal limits (n= 138, 100%). A comparison (unifocal vs multifocal) revealed parents of children with multifocal retinoblastoma with severe depression (1.4% vs 10.2%, P < .02), and no differences in anxiety or stress. Factors associated with moderate or severe parental depression included previous history of depression (30.0% vs 3.9%, P < .001) and factors for moderate or severe anxiety included previous history of depression (33.3% vs 8.6%, P < .001), parent highest level of education at high school or less vs college or beyond (29.2% vs 10.9%, P= .031), and parental report of "child developmental delay" (31.5% vs 11.3%, P= .019). The majority of parents displayed minimal depression (73.3%), anxiety (64.2%), or stress (100%). However, severe depression is more often found in those whose children have multifocal disease, and previous history of depression and less education can impact psychological function. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored bythe American Ophthalmological Society.