ABSTRACT
A Dutch nation-wide study on young haemophilia patients, whose former treatment placed them at risk for HIV infection, was done to examine the effect of HIV testing, HIV status, disclosure of HIV status and the child's experiences with disease-related information on emotional adjustment. In the Netherlands HIV tests are not routinely performed for paediatric haemophilia patients, but the number of HIV-infected children is estimated to be low (8%). Seventy-two boys with haemophilia, five HIV positive, 51 HIV negative and 16 not tested, and their mothers were interviewed and administered standardized questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses showed no differences in anxiety and depression between HIV-positive, HIV-negative or untested boys, nor between children who were informed or not informed about their HIV status. Conversely, children who experienced more difficulties to obtain information about the their disease were significantly more anxious and tended to be more depressed. No significant differences in emotional distress were found between the patients and a standardization sample of healthy peers. The data provide evidence that children and adolescents with haemophilia cope effectively with their disease and the emotional impact of the HIV threat. There seems to be no reason to protect children from testing or knowing their HIV status. In the absence of compelling medical reasons, however, health care workers should not forcefully advocate testing or early disclosure. Distinct disease and treatment-related factors as well as social factors modify disclosure practices.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that being openly informed about the diagnosis and prognosis benefits the emotional well-being of children with cancer. A stratified sample of 56 children with cancer aged 8-16 years and their parents participated. The parents were interviewed about the information they had given to their child. Self-report questionnaires were administered to the children measuring anxiety and depression. Children who received open information about their diagnosis and prognosis at the initial stage of the disease showed significantly less anxiety and depression. Our findings suggest that parents should be advised to inform their child with cancer openly and soon after the initial diagnosis. Physicians should offer help to the parents in dealing with the difficult task of confronting the child with the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/prevention & control , Depression/prevention & control , Neoplasms/psychology , Risk Assessment , Truth Disclosure , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Parent-Child Relations , Patient Education as Topic , Prognosis , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
In this study we test the hypothesis that children, suffering from acute lymphatic leukaemia (ALL) have more concentration problems, a lower intellectual capacity and more adjustment problems at school. The study deals only with those children whose ALL had been diagnosed at least three years before. Standardized tests have been given to fourteen children (aged 6-12), being treated or checked by the Children's Oncology Center of Amsterdam. Teachers were given a questionnaire and a written interview. Parents were interviewed orally. Scores on tests and questionnaire were compared with scores from norm groups. The study's most important results are: these children with ALL have a low concentration capacity, some adjustment problems at school (withdrawn behavior), but intellectually they don't function at a lower level.
