ABSTRACT
Objective
The diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the subsequent treatment-related challenges impact the children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and parental distress (psychological morbidity and traumatic stress symptoms). This study examined the relationship between parental distress and children’s HRQoL, focusing on preschool-aged children and toddlers. The aims were: to assess changes in children’s HRQoL over time, compare HRQoL between children with ALL and healthy children, and evaluate the longitudinal association between parental distress and children’s HRQoL.
Methods
The sample consisted of 46 parents of children with ALL, 58 parents of healthy children, and their children. Assessments were conducted in the first week of three treatment phases, (T0-Consolidation; T1-Intensification; T2-Maintenance). Linear mixed models and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. Results revealed significant improvements in children’s HRQoL over time, although lower than the healthy group. Parental psychological morbidity was associated with children’s HRQoL at T1 but not at T2. Traumatic stress symptoms showed no association with children’s HRQoL.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the importance of targeting parental psychological morbidity (anxiety and depression symptoms) during more intensive treatment phases. Incorporating family-centered care strategies that address parents’ psychological morbidity can promote better outcomes for both children and parents, supporting adaptation during this challenging period.