The relationship between PTSD, anxiety, and depression in Palestinian children with cancer and mental health of mothers

Abstract EN

Aüm: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence ofPTSD, depression and anxiety among children with cancer andrelationship to mother's mental health.

A sample of 50 childrenwith their mothers was selected from oncology department at ElNasser pediatric hospital in Gaza city.

The results showed that22% of children had partial PTSD and 18% had full criteria ofPTSD, 62% of children had anxiety disorder.

and 68% haddepression.

For mothers.

70.

8% of mothers scored above cut-offpoint of GHQ-28.

The results showed that there were nocorrelations between total general health and subscale of motherswith children PTSD.

anxiety.

and depression.

However.

there wererelationship between depression and anxiety in children withcancer.

Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that mental health among parentsof children with cancer in Palestine is higher compared with theircounterparts in the other contexts.

Based on the results, pediatriconcology nurses can raise parents' awareness about their mentalhealth problems.

by interventions intended to decrease the risks.

Parents could gain experience and information in group discussion, which provides appropriate opportunity for mothers to reflect ontheir own life stories.

This life story perspective provides a realisticfoundation that can support parents' wellbeing and contribute tosatisfying the needs of their children.