Depression in Children of Cancer Patients over Time and Dependence of the Parental Distress

Depression in Children of Cancer Patients over Time and Dependence of the Parental Distress This study was part of the German multicentre project "Psychosocial Services for Children of Parents with Cancer" (2009-2012, research grant: German Cancer Aid). 60 parent-child-dyads (children's age: > 10 years, at least one parent with cancer) could be included in data analysis. Depressive symptoms of children were assessed with the CES-DC at two times (t1 and t2). Depression scores were compared with a representative comparison group from the general population. Further, the relationship between the distress of cancer patients and the depression of the children was examined. Children with at least one parent with cancer were significantly more depressed than the comparison group (t1 and t2). 25.8% of the boys and 35.7% of the girls reported clinically relevant scores of depression at U. There were no significant changes in the depression scores on the individual level for boys and girls at t2. There was a positive correlation between children's depression (t1) and the parental anxiety at t1 with r = 0.26 (p < 0.05). Depressive symptoms in children of parents with cancer persist over time, and therefore should be identified early. Prax. Kinderpsychol. Kinderpsychiat. 61/2012, 432-446