Impact of Coping Skills Training on Stress, Symptom Distress in Children with Cancer

The psychosocial adjustment in survivors of childhood cancer is considered as a vital component for coping with chronic illness. However, research related to coping skills program designed for children with cancer is rather limited. In this 2-year proposal, we plan to: 1). develop a coping skills training program for children with cancer, 2). evaluate the outcomes of the training program, including changes in stress response as well as symptom distress outcomes. In this proposal, we plan to conduct an experimental study design among children recruited from the medical hospital in Taipei. A total of 66 subjects will be included. Subjects will be randomly allocated to either a coping skills training group, or as usual care group. The intervention consisted of a 90 minutes of coping skills training intervention once a week for 12 consecutive weeks. A baseline assessment of levels of stress and distress symptom will be established one week prior to intervention. The subjects will be followed-up at one week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, respectively, after intervention. The research tools for outcome indicators measurement include Impact of Event Scales-Revised, M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, and Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation) analysis will be conducted to estimate the effects of coping skills training on stress and distress symptoms. The results of this study will provide empirical evidence for health care providers to assist children with cancer to cope with their stress and symptom distress effectively for better psychological health.