Abstract
This systematic review integrates qualitative and quantitative research findings regarding family changes in the context of
childhood cancer. Twenty-eight quantitative, 42 qualitative, and one mixed-method studies were reviewed. Included studies
focused on family functioning, marital quality, and/or parenting in the context of pediatric cancer, were written in English,
and were published between 1996 and 2009. Overall, qualitative findings show that families alter roles, responsibilities,
and day-to-day functioning to accommodate the needs of children with cancer. Although some degree of family reorganization
is normative, the extent and impact of these changes varies. Quantitative work shows that mean levels of family functioning
(e.g., cohesion, flexibility) are similar between families facing cancer and normative or comparison samples. However, families
follow different trajectories of improvement, decline, or stability in family closeness and marital quality. Parenting has
received limited quantitative research attention, but qualitative work suggests that parents perceive deeper bonds with ill
children and may spoil or overprotect them. Conclusions support future work examining the influence of family-level variables
on the adjustment of individual family members.
childhood cancer. Twenty-eight quantitative, 42 qualitative, and one mixed-method studies were reviewed. Included studies
focused on family functioning, marital quality, and/or parenting in the context of pediatric cancer, were written in English,
and were published between 1996 and 2009. Overall, qualitative findings show that families alter roles, responsibilities,
and day-to-day functioning to accommodate the needs of children with cancer. Although some degree of family reorganization
is normative, the extent and impact of these changes varies. Quantitative work shows that mean levels of family functioning
(e.g., cohesion, flexibility) are similar between families facing cancer and normative or comparison samples. However, families
follow different trajectories of improvement, decline, or stability in family closeness and marital quality. Parenting has
received limited quantitative research attention, but qualitative work suggests that parents perceive deeper bonds with ill
children and may spoil or overprotect them. Conclusions support future work examining the influence of family-level variables
on the adjustment of individual family members.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-32
- DOI 10.1007/s10567-010-0082-z
- Authors
- Kristin A. Long, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 3209 Sennott Square, 210 S. Bouquet St., Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Anna L. Marsland, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 3209 Sennott Square, 210 S. Bouquet St., Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Journal Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
- Online ISSN 1573-2827
- Print ISSN 1096-4037