Early Evidence of the Interplay between Separation Anxiety Symptoms and Covid-19-Related Worries in a Group of Children Diagnosed with Cancer and Their Mothers

Bibliographic Data

ID15717801
AuthorsChiara Dotto (0000-0002-1166-166X, University of Padua), Maria Montanaro (Ospedale SS. Annunziata), Silvia Spaggiari (0000-0002-6041-9765, University of Padua, corresponding author), Valerio Cecinati (0000-0001-8542-5240, Ospedale SS. Annunziata), Letizia Pomponia Brescia (0000-0001-7230-4861, Ospedale SS. Annunziata), Letizia Brescia (Complex Structure of Pediatrics and Pediatric Oncohematology “Nadia Toffa”, Central Hospital Santissima Annunziata, 74121 Taranto, Italy), Simona Insogna (Ospedale SS. Annunziata), Livia Zuliani (Azienda ULSS 9 TREVISO), Paolo Grotto (Azienda ULSS 9 TREVISO), Cristina Pizzato (Azienda ULSS 9 TREVISO), Daniela Di Riso (0000-0002-3759-0441, University of Padua)
Year2022
Volume9
Issue4
Pages481-481
Publication date2022-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children9040481
PMID35455525
OpenAlexW4224313278
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited29

Having cancer in childhood is a risk factor for separation anxiety symptoms, with negative effects on the disease and psychological wellbeing. The Covid-19-pandemic-related concerns could have a negative effect. The present study explores the interplay between separation anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related worries in pediatric cancer patients and their mothers, compared to a group of healthy children and their mothers, during the pandemic. Thirty-three subjects with cancer, aged 7-15 years, and their mothers were compared to a control sample of 36 healthy children and caregivers. They were administered a pandemic-related psychological experience survey and standardized questionnaires assessing psychological wellbeing, anxiety, and separation anxiety symptoms. Children with cancer reported significantly higher prosocial behaviors, fear of being alone, and fear of abandonment. Their mothers had worse psychological wellbeing, higher COVID-19 concerns, anxiety, and separation anxiety symptoms. The multiple linear regression model showed that an increase in children's separation anxiety symptoms was associated with younger age, more recent diagnosis, more mother-child time, lower mothers' worry for children's contagion, and higher mothers' and children's anxiety. COVID-19-related worries of clinical children's mothers seem to be protective for children's psychological wellbeing. Early psychosocial support interventions for mothers are essential in health services for cancer

Abandonment (legal · Anxiety · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Worry · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Clinical Psychology · Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Psychology

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