Well-being, Self-transcendence, and Resilience of Parental Caregivers of Children in Active Cancer Treatment: Where Do We Go From Here?

Parental caregivers of children with childhood cancer experience both positive well-being and negative well-being (depression and anxiety) simultaneously. Resilience and self-transcendence are positively linked to general well-being and negatively linked to depression and anxiety. Satisfaction with financial status is also positively associated with general well-being and negatively with depression. Self-transcendence mediates the relationship between resilience and well-being. No child-related factors, such as the child's cancer or demographics, were associated with caregiver well-being. The findings highlight the importance of addressing both positive and negative aspects of well-being and suggest practices like journaling, mindfulness, and nature activities to enhance self-transcendence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND Childhood cancer profoundly impacts the well-being of many parental caregivers in the United States yearly. Empirical evidence is extensive for negative well-being and scarce for positive well-being in this population. OBJECTIVE Study aims were to (1) describe resilience, self-transcendence, and positive (general well-being) and negative well-being (depression and anxiety); (2) examine if caregiver-related personal factors (resilience and/or demographic characteristics) and/or child-related contextual factors (child's cancer and/or demographic characteristics) are associated with well-being; and (3) test if self-transcendence mediates the relationship between resilience and well-being. METHODS A cross-sectional study whereby 80 caregivers of children diagnosed with childhood cancer for at least 2 months completed study questionnaires. Descriptive statistics explored sample demographics, well-being, self-transcendence, and resilience levels. Bivariate correlations examined factors associated with well-being. One-way analysis of variance and independent-samples t tests explored differences in well-being across levels of independent variables. Baron and Kenny's mediation analysis tested if self-transcendence mediated the relationship between resilience and well-being. RESULTS Positive well-being and negative well-being coexist in parental caregivers. No child-related contextual factors related to caregivers' well-being. Parental caregivers' resilience and self-transcendence positively related to their general well-being and negatively related to their depression and anxiety. Satisfaction with current financial status positively related to general well-being and negatively related to depression. Self-transcendence mediated the relationship between resilience and well-being. CONCLUSIONS Findings confirm the importance of focusing on both positive and negative well-being, their associated factors, and mediators. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The authors discuss practice implications to enhance self-transcendence such as journaling, mindfulness techniques, activities to connect with nature, and others.