Stresshantering door kinderen met kanker en hun ouders

Abstract

If a child is diagnosed with cancer the whole family has the difficult task to adjust to a situation dominated by the stresses of long lasting uncertainty and uncontrollability. Situational components (uncertainty, uncontrollability of the situation, responsibility, the restriction of freedom, and the long duration of the situation), which are important in the appraisal of the situation for children with cancer and their parents will be discussed. Also, attention will be paid to disease related cognitive coping-strategies. In the second part of this article, we present the outcomes of some studies of the variables that predict most adequately the emotional adjustment of children with cancer and their parents with different survival perspectives.