The enhancing connections program: pilot study of a cognitive‐behavioral intervention for mothers and children affected by breast cancer
- 10 October 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Psycho‐Oncology
- Vol. 15 (6), 486-497
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.979
Abstract
In 2005, approximately 211 240 women in the US will be diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and an estimated 22% will be child rearing. Research reveals that both mothers and children have elevated distress attributed to the cancer; struggle with how to talk about and deal with the impact of the cancer; and both fear the mother will die. The Enhancing Connections Program (EC) was developed to reduce this cancer-related distress and morbidity. The program involves five, 1-hour educational counseling sessions delivered at 2-week intervals by specially trained clinicians. This study reports on the program's short-term impact on mothers' and children's adjustment. Thirteen households were recruited within 7.5 months of the mother's diagnosis with early stage breast cancer. Impact was evaluated within a single group design using data obtained from standardized questionnaires with established reliability and validity. Results revealed significant improvements in the mother's depressed mood, anxiety, and self-confidence to assist her child (mother report). There were also significant decreases in the child's behavioral problems (mother and father report); the child's cancer-related worries (child report); and the child's anxiety/depressed mood (mother and father report). Further evaluation is warranted within a clinical trial. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This publication has 40 references indexed in Scilit:
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