Oncology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Oncology, including details on cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.

Mum knows best? Psychological status in an oncology sample.

Bruce S, Rodgers J, Firth M, Freeston M

Fleming Nuffield Unit, Northern Counties School, Tyne House, Tankerville Terrace, Jesmond, UK.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of age, gender and diagnosis upon agreement of children's psychological status between children with cancer and their parents. METHODS: Total 51 families (49 mothers, 45 fathers and 51 children) completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Children's ages ranged from 11 to 16 years, with a mean age of 13.4 years. Eleven of the children had central nervous system (CNS) disease. RESULTS: Age, gender and diagnosis did not impact upon level of agreement between parents and children. There were no significant differences between father/child and mother/child reports of children's psychological status. CONCLUSIONS: Both mothers and fathers are perceptive to their child's psychological status, and it is therefore satisfactory to consider their opinions about their children. Children in the age range 11-16 years are able to express their views with as much accuracy as parents irrespective of their gender and diagnosis and so should be included in assessment.

Published 6 October 2005 in Child Care Health Dev, 31(6): 643-8.
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