Worries and anxiety in parents of adult survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study-Parents.

Abstract

Having a child diagnosed with cancer is distressing for parents. We aimed to compare worries and anxiety in parents of adult childhood cancer survivors with parents of the Swiss general population (GP-parents), and to evaluate characteristics associated with worry in parents of survivors. We conducted a nationwide, population-based study in parents of survivors (survivors aged ≥20years at study, ≤16years at diagnosis, >5years post diagnosis) and GP-parents (≥1 child aged ≥20years at study). We used the Worry and Anxiety Questionnaire (WAQ), and computed the WAQ total score (worries; possible range 0-80) and caseness for generalized anxiety disorder (anxiety), cognitive, somatic, and any criteria. We used multilevel, multivariable linear regression to identify characteristics associated with worries in parents of survivors. We included 787 parents of 513 survivors (41.0% fathers) and 478 GP-parents (42.3% fathers). Parents of survivors and GP-parents did not differ regarding worries (16.6 vs. 17.1, p=.977), anxiety (2.7% vs. 3.6%, p=.536), cognitive (p=.440), and somatic criteria (p=.067). Less parents of survivors met any criteria (17.7% vs. 24.0%, p=.039). Half of parents reported current cancer-related worries. Higher cancer-related worries were reported by mothers (β=4.1; 95% CI: 2.0-6.2), parents with one child (β=5.9; 95% CI: 2.0-9.7), currently experiencing disadvantages because of their child's former disease (β=7.3; 95% CI: 4.0-10.6), or with support needs (β=9.0; 95% CI: 3.9-14.2; p=.001). It is encouraging that most parents of adult survivors report similar worries and anxiety as GP-parents, but cancer-related worries are still prevalent. Efforts should be made to empower parents to seek psycho-social support if required.