Psychological distress in grandparents of grandchildren who survived childhood cancer − Results from the GROkids project

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2024.100162
• Publication Date: 2024-04-17T16:15:09Z
• Authors: Cristina Priboi; Anica Ilic; Pauline Holmer; Peter Francis Rag...; Katharina Roser; Eva Maria Tinner; Rebecca Baechtold; Marc Ansari; Manuel Diezi; Elena Lemmel; Freimut H. Schilling; Katrin Scheinemann; Gisela Michel
• Keywords: Psychological Distress; Childhood Cancer

IntroductionHaving a grandchild who survived childhood cancer might affect grandparents' mental health. We aimed to A) describe the psychological distress of grandparents survivors (CCS) and compare their Swiss general population, B) explore associations between with person-, child-, cancer-related characteristics.MethodsThis is cross-sectional study conducted in Switzerland. Grandparents were identified from families eligible CCS (cancer diagnosis before 18 years old; 3-10 after diagnosis). A subsample representative sample for population was used comparison similar age, gender language region. The Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) administered assess on three domains: somatization, depression, anxiety; Global Severity Index [GSI]. run Chi-squared t-tests comparisons, univariable, multivariable multilevel regressions analyze associations.ResultsIn total, 122 (60.7% female, mean age=72.8; SD=6.8) 354 comparisons participated (55.4% female; age=65.7; SD=5.5). reported average levels scores did not differ significantly (all p>.05). worse health perception described more (somatization: β=6.86, p<.001; depression: β=4.17 anxiety: β=5.87, GSI: β=6.30, p<.001), while single experienced depression than those partnership (β=-6.21, p=.013).DiscussionOur findings are encouraging, showing adequate among CCS. However, perceived as poorer encounter higher may benefit access support groups tailored informational material.