LONGITUDINAL STUDY: BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF HEALTHY CHINESE SIBLINGS TO THE STRESS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER IN THE FAMILY (CANCER).
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 238
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Advances in the treatment of childhood malignancies have dramatically altered survival rates of children with cancer, changing the nature and scope of stressors that their families encounter. In Taiwan, very little is known about how childhood cancer affects the other children in the family and what can be done to help children adjust to this stressful life event.

The purpose of this research was to explore behavioral responses of healthy Chinese siblings in Taiwan to childhood cancer in the family and to examine the factors that may contribute to the presence or absence of behavioral problems in these siblings, using a 12-month longitudinal data set. The contextual variables of children with cancer, parents and siblings as the moderating factors, and effects on siblings were described. In 1987 (Time 1), 45 Chinese families were selected through referrals and a cancer foundation name roster. Thirty of these families were followed a year later (Time 2, 1988); parents and siblings were interviewed.

Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data from qualitative measures (interviews), and quantitative measures (questionnaires). Content analysis of sibling data revealed major stressor themes of inadequate knowledge, reduced family communication, and insufficient support. Sibling perspectives on the consequences of parental adaptation were most revealing.

The effects of prolonged stress upon the adjustment of siblings were analyzed. Findings showed that healthy siblings demonstrated significantly more behavior problems and fewer social competence behaviors than a standardized normal population. Significant difference was found for externalizing behavior reported for the siblings between Time 1 and Time 2. Social competence was significantly positively correlated with parents' educational level, but was not associated with siblings' age or gender, types of cancer, duration of illness, or family cohesiveness. Although the duration of illness was not associated with siblings' behavior problems, it was associated with cohesiveness within the family environment.

The results of this study provide information about adaptational consequences, linked to specific points in time, that could be utilized to refine the targets of nursing intervention. An educational program and a support group for Chinese families to avoid secondary stressors of childhood cancer are suggested.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-10, Section: B, page: 4457.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1989.

School code: 0034.