Emotional control versus anxiety, aggression, and depressive disorders in parents of children with malignant diseases

Introduction: The diagnosis of malignant disease in a child is a difficult and unexpected situation. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer in a child often becomes a source of negative emotions experienced and manifested by parents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of control over negative emotions including: anxiety, depression, and aggression, in parents of children with cancer.

Material and methods: The study group included 102 parents of children with diagnosed blood cancers. A survey questionnaire was developed by the authors. we used two validated measuring scales: HADS-M, CECS.

Results: Emotional disorders of depressive nature, anxiety and aggression occurred in most parents. The level of control over anger measured in our study group was medium-high.

Conclusions: The occurrence of negative emotions in parents of children with cancer disturbs their health condition and social functioning. It is necessary to provide parents with professional help in order to minimize the effects of trauma associated with their child’s malignant disease.