5 research outputs found
Psychological outcomes and support in grandparents whose grandchildren suffer from a severe physical illness: A systematic review.
Objective
When a child is facing a severe physical illness, the entire family is affected. Grandparents provide invaluable emotional and practical support to families dealing with this situation, but little is known about the psychological impact on them. We aimed to synthesize the evidence on 1) the psychological outcomes experienced by grandparents when a grandchild is seriously ill and 2) the psychological support needed and used by grandparents.
Methods
We systematically searched four databases with the search terms "grandchild", "grandparents", "psychological outcomes" and "severe diseases", and we used narrative synthesis to analyze the extracted data.
Results
Our search identified 3319 records of which 12 were included in the analysis. Grandparents reported experiencing a wide spectrum of feelings, with fear being the most prevalent feeling. Grandparents rarely accessed professional services due to their lack of knowledge about available programs or because of the absence of formal services addressing their needs. In consequence, grandparents asked and received informal support from other family members, friends or their church community.
Conclusion
Grandparents need to be better informed about their grandchild's disease and the available support services in order to reduce their psychological burden and to better attend to the needs of the other family members
Psychosexual development, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in long-term childhood cancer survivors:DCCSS-LATER 2 sexuality substudy
Objectives: Childhood cancer may negatively impact childhood cancer survivors' (CCS) sexuality. However, this is an understudied research area. We aimed to describe the psychosexual development, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of CCS, and identify determinants for these outcomes. Secondarily, we compared the outcomes of a subsample of emerging adult CCS to the Dutch general population. Methods: From the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963â2001), 1912 CCS (18â71 years, 50.8% male) completed questions on sexuality, psychosocial development, body perception, mental and physical health. Multivariable linear regressions were used to identify determinants. Sexuality of CCS age 18â24 (N = 243) was compared to same-aged references using binomial tests and t-tests. Results: One third of all CCS reported hindered sexuality due to childhood cancer, with insecure body the most often reported reason (44.8%). Older age at study, lower education, surviving central nervous system cancer, poorer mental health and negative body perception were identified as determinants for later sexual debut, worse sexual functioning and/or sexual satisfaction. CCS age 18â24 showed significantly less experience with kissing (p = 0.014), petting under clothes (p = 0.002), oral (p = 0.016) and anal sex (p = 0.032) when compared to references. No significant differences with references were found for sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, neither among female CCS nor male CCS age 18â24. Conclusions: Emerging adult CCS reported less experience with psychosexual development, but similar sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction compared to references. We identified determinants for sexuality, which could be integrated in clinical interventions for CCS at risk for reduced sexuality.</p
Systematic review: Care provided by grandparents of children with a chronic disease or a disability
If a child is chronically ill or has a disability, the entire family system is affected, and grandparents are often an important part of the family dynamic. They are frequently the main resource for families. However, little is known on the type and role of care and support provided by grandparents when a grandchild is suffering from a chronic disease or a disability. We aimed to gain insight into the i) type and role of care and ii) type of support grandparents with a grandchild with a chronic disease or disability provide. We systematically searched the databases Pubmed, PsycInfo, SCOPUS, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed original research articles. We included publications on grandchildren up to 21 years suffering from a chronic disease or a disability and presenting results on type and role of grandparentsâ self-reported care or support.We included 14 articles on 12 studies. All studies were of qualitative methods. We found that grandparents provide support for the ill grandchild, the parents, and the whole family. Their role was on the sideline, but a reliable support for the entire family, both, instrumental and emotional. However, grandparents reported a lack of knowledge regarding the grandchildâs condition.Providing appropriate information about the grandchild`s disease to grandparents could help improve understanding and facilitate appropriate support and care for the family by grandparents
Acute and long-term psychosocial consequences in grandparents when a grandchild is diagnosed with cancer â the GROKids Project: a population-based mixed-methods study protocol
Abstract Background Grandparents play a crucial role in providing their families with love, support, and wisdom, often also supporting them in practical and financial ways. The psychosocial effects experienced by grandparents when a grandchild is diagnosed with an illness can be significant, including increased stress, anxiety, grief, and disruptions in their own lives. Yet, the experience of grandparents is often overlooked in the literature. Methods/design The GROKids Project aims to investigate how grandparents are affected by a grandchild's cancer diagnosis. It employs a mixed-methods approach and consists of three studies: a longitudinal cohort study (Study 1) and a qualitative study (Study 2) involving grandparents of children with a recent cancer diagnosis, and a cross-sectional study (Study 3) of grandparents of childhood cancer survivors. Study 1 covers four time points over two years after the cancer diagnosis, while Study 2 explores the lived experiences of a subsample of these grandparents. Study 3 collects data from grandparents of childhood cancer survivors diagnosed 3 to 10Â years ago. Participants are recruited across eight pediatric oncology centers in Switzerland, and through patient advocacy and support groups. Eligibility criteria include having a grandchild diagnosed with cancer and being fluent in German, French, or Italian. Study procedures involve requesting grandparentsâ contacts from eligible families, and later contacting grandparents, providing study information, obtaining informed consent, and sending out questionnaires by post or online. Reminder calls and mails are used to improve response rates. Data analysis includes multilevel regression (Study 1), thematic analysis (Study 2), and regression analyses (Study 3). Various validated questionnaires are used to assess physical health and overall well-being, psychological health, internal, and external factors. Discussion This project addresses the gaps in understanding the psychosocial effects on grandparents having a grandchild diagnosed with cancer. It utilizes a comprehensive approach, including multiple methodologies and considering the broader family context. The projectâs strengths lie in its mixed-methods design, longitudinal approach, and inclusion of the perspectives of the sick children, siblings, and parents, besides grandparents. By gaining a more profound understanding of grandparents' experiences, researchers and healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions and support services to address grandparentsâ unique needs
Exploring grandparents' psychosocial responses to childhood cancer: A qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
A childhood cancer diagnosis is a traumatic experience for patients and their families. However, little is known about the effect on grandparents. We aimed to investigate the negative psychosocial impact, coping strategies, and positive outcomes of grandparents of childhood cancer patients in Switzerland.
METHODS
We collected data using a semi-structured interview guide and applied qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
We conducted 20 interviews with 23 grandparents (57% female; mean age = 66.9 years; SD = 6.4; range = 57.0-82.4) of 13 affected children (69% female; mean age = 7.5 years; SD = 6.1; range = 1.0-18.9) between January 2022 and April 2023. The mean time since diagnosis was 1.0 years (SD = 0.5; range = 0.4-1.9). Grandparents were in shock and experienced strong feelings of fear and helplessness. They were particularly afraid of a relapse or late effects. The worst part for most was seeing their grandchild suffer. Many stated that their fear was always present which could lead to tension and sleep problems. To cope with these negative experiences, the grandparents used internal and external strategies, such as accepting the illness or talking to their spouse and friends. Some grandparents also reported positive outcomes, such as getting emotionally closer to family members and appreciating things that had previously been taken for granted.
CONCLUSIONS
Grandparents suffer greatly when their grandchild is diagnosed with cancer. Encouragingly, most grandparents also reported coping strategies and positive outcomes despite the challenges. Promoting coping strategies and providing appropriate resources could reduce the psychological burden of grandparents and strengthen the whole family system