Psychosocial interventions targeting parenting distress among parents with cancer - A systematic review and narrative synthesis of available interventions

Maria Romare Strandh; Emma Hovén; Renita Sörensdotter; Karin Stålberg; Pia Enebrink; Lisa Ljungman; Anna Wikman

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104119

Psychosocial interventions targeting parenting distress among parents with cancer - A systematic review and narrative synthesis of available interventions

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2023 Nov:191:104119. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104119. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Authors

Maria Romare Strandh¹, Emma Hovén², Renita Sörensdotter³, Karin Stålberg², Pia Enebrink⁴, Lisa Ljungman², Anna Wikman⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan (WOMHER), Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.romare.strandh@kbh.uu.se.
² Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
³ Centre for Gender Research, Uppsala University, Engelska parken, Humanistiskt centrum, Thunbergsvägen 3G, Box 527, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
⁴ Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A 5th floor, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan (WOMHER), Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.

PMID: 37683815
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104119

Abstract

Background: Balancing having cancer and parenting a major stressor, and may result in parenting distress, negatively affecting the whole family. To provide adequate support, knowledge of existing psychosocial interventions are crucial to guide future interventions. This study aimed to describe available psychosocial interventions for parents with cancer and dependent children (<18 years).

Method: We conducted a systematic review, and four databases were searched from January 2000 to March 2023.

Results: Thirty studies were included, reporting on 22 psychosocial interventions for parents with cancer. They aimed to improve different aspects of parenting distress, and included psychoeducation and communication strategies. Interventions were beneficial to and acceptable among parents, but only a few had been evaluated. The study quality was, overall, assessed as moderate.

Conclusions: The results of this review highlight the diversity of available psychosocial interventions for parents with cancer and the outcomes on parenting distress, as well as methodological challenges.

Keywords: Cancer; Interventions; Parent; Parenting; Psychological distress; Psychosocial support.

Publication types

Review