2Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş-Turkey DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2018.1824 OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to determine the emotional and behavioral problems among schoolage children of mothers with breast cancer (BC) and the difficulties they experienced during the mothers" illness.
METHODS
The participants included 40 children and adolescents of patients with BC and age- and sex-matched 40
healthy controls between the ages of 6 and 17 years. The study group filled out a sociodemographic data
form that was prepared by the researchers and evaluated the demographic data and psychosocial effects
of maternal cancer on children. The parents of all participants filled out the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ), Parent Form to determine the emotional and behavioral problems in children.
RESULTS
Conduct problems, attention deficit and hyperactivity, and total difficulty scores of the SDQ were significantly
higher in children of mothers with BC (p<0.05). Scores for emotional problems, peer relationship
problems, and prosocial behaviors were similar in both groups. Scores for emotional problems,
peer problems, and total difficulties were significantly higher in girls of patients with BC than in boys.
There was positive correlation between child"s age and total difficulty scores (p<0.05). There were several
problems, such as changes in new family responsibilities and some life difficulties, in children and
adolescents of patients with BC.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study showed that the emotional and behavioral problems of children and adolescents
of mothers with BC were higher than those of controls, and that maternal illness caused distress
for children in many areas of their lives. Our results may increase the awareness of health care providers
that some children may have difficulties in adjusting to their parents" illness.