Stress post-traumatique et liens d’attachement chez l’enfant atteint du cancer : revue de littérature

Abstract

IntroductionMany studies show that the announcement of a chronic disease such as childhood cancer is often seen as a test for the child and his entourage. The child, unarmed meet this sudden threat of death, will have to face immediate changes, but later too, after the remission. The objective of this study is to see if there is development of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress symptoms in children suffering from cancer since the diagnosis is made, and whether modifications of the attachment links to relatives, especially the mother, will operate. MethodA systematic literature review was performed by crossing the following keywords: pediatric cancer; childhood cancer; post-traumatic stress disorder; PTSD; and their English equivalents. Only articles dealing with childhood cancer and affect the life of the child, published in French and English, have been preserved and analyzed. ResultsA total of 20 articles were selected. It shows that, to cancer, frequently, the children say post-traumatic stress disorder, and many of them develop post-traumatic stress related symptoms. In addition, links to attachments to other children and their families find themselves affected, particularly the one with the mother. DiscussionAn early care by health professionals on the psychological aspects engendered by childhood cancer could be interesting. The target would be to decrease the onset of some symptoms and negative consequences in the lives of children with cancer. ConclusionChildren with cancer are at greater risk for developing PTSD and/or post-traumatic symptoms than their healthy peers of the same age. The risk is greater in presence of certain factors (age, social support, representations and beliefs, etc), and this will have an impact on his later life and development.