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Factors associated with mental health service use among families bereaved by pediatric cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2022

Kylie N. Hill Open the ORCID record for Kylie N. Hill [Opens in a new window] ,
Anna Olsavsky ,
Maru Barrera ,
Mary Jo Gilmer ,
Diane L. Fairclough ,
Terrah Foster Akard ,
Bruce E. Compas ,
Kathryn Vannatta  and
Cynthia A. Gerhardt
Kylie N. Hill*
Affiliation:
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
Anna Olsavsky
Affiliation:
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
Maru Barrera
Affiliation:
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
Mary Jo Gilmer
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Diane L. Fairclough
Affiliation:
The University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
Terrah Foster Akard
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Bruce E. Compas
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Kathryn Vannatta
Affiliation:
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
Cynthia A. Gerhardt
Affiliation:
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
*
Author for correspondence: Kylie N. Hill, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, NEOB 3rd fl., Columbus, OH 43205, USA. E-mail: kylienhill@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives

We identified types of interventions used by bereaved family members and examined associations with demographic and medical factors. Furthermore, we examined associations between distress and intervention use among bereaved families.

Methods

Bereaved families (n = 85) were recruited from three children's hospitals 3–12 months after their child died of cancer. One eligible sibling (ages 8–17) per family was randomly selected for participation. During home visits 1-year post-death, parents reported on their own and the sibling's intervention use, helpfulness, and dose (self-help books, support groups, therapy, medication), and distress, defined as internalizing, externalizing, and total problems (Adult Self Report, Child Behavior Checklist).

Results

Fifty percent of mothers used medications (n = 43); utilization was low among fathers (17%, n = 9) and siblings (5%, n = 4). Individuals with more total problems were more likely to use medications (mothers: rpb = 0.27; p = 0.02; fathers: rpb = 0.32; p = 0.02; siblings: rpb = 0.26; p = 0.02). Mothers and siblings with more total problems used more services (r = 0.24; p = 0.03 and r = 0.29; p = 0.01, respectively). Among mothers, the overall regression was significant, R2 = 0.11, F(2, 80) = 4.954, p = 0.01; the deceased child's age at death was significantly associated with total services used (b = 0.052, p = 0.022). Among fathers, the overall regression was significant, R2 = 0.216, F(3, 49) = 4.492, p = 0.007; race and years of education were significantly associated with total services used (b = 0.750, p = 0.030 and b = 0.154, p = 0.010). Among siblings, the overall regression was significant R2 = 0.088, F(2, 80) = 3.867, p = 0.025; greater total problems were significantly associated with total services used (b = 0.012, p = 0.007).

Significance of results

Although few background factors were related to intervention use, bereaved mothers and siblings may seek services if they have more distress. Healthcare providers should be aware of the types of services that are most often utilized and helpful to bereaved families to connect them with appropriate resources. Future research should investigate other predictors of intervention use and outcomes after the death of a child.

Keywords

BereavementPalliative carePediatric cancerService use
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 21 , Issue 5 , October 2023 , pp. 829 - 835
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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