Abstract :
Keywords: Cancer; Fear; Parents; Pediatrics; Psycho-oncology; Survivors Abstract Purpose Recent research demonstrated that fear of progression (FoP) is a major burden for adult cancer survivors. However, knowledge on FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is scarce. This study aimed to determine the proportion of parents who show dysfunctional levels of FoP, to investigate gender differences, and to examine factors associated with FoP in mothers and fathers. Methods Five hundred sixteen parents of pediatric cancer survivors (aged 0--17 years at diagnosis of leukemia or central nervous system (CNS) tumor) were consecutively recruited after the end of intensive cancer treatment. We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses for mothers and fathers and integrated parent-, patient-, and family-related factors in the models. Results Significantly more mothers (54%) than fathers (41%) suffered from dysfunctional levels of FoP. Maternal FoP was significantly associated with depression, a medical coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and lower family functioning (adjusted R.sup.2 = .30, p Conclusions FoP represents a great burden for parents of pediatric cancer survivors. We identified associated factors of parental FoP. Some of these factors can be targeted by health care professionals within psychosocial interventions and others can provide an indication for an increased risk for higher levels of FoP. Implications for Cancer Survivors Psychosocial support targeting FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is highly indicated. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany (2) Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Klinik Bad Oexen, Oexen 27, 32549, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany (3) Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany (4) Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstraße 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany (b) l.inhestern@uke.de Article History: Registration Date: 06/16/2021 Received Date: 03/22/2021 Accepted Date: 06/14/2021 Online Date: 07/23/2021 Byline: