Psychoemotional state evaluation in parents of children with oncology diseases being treated at the Proton Beam Therapy Center

E.M. Nikiforova¹, N.A. Vorobiev^1–3, N.I. Martynova¹, D.A. Antipin¹

¹Diagnostic and Treatment Center of the Medical Institute named after Berezin Sergey, Saint Petersburg

²St. Petersburg State University

³North-western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, Saint Petersburg

The article presents the study results of the psychoemotional state in parents of children with oncology diseases. They were obtained using a questionnaire of parents. We have developed a questionnaire that allows obtaining information about the parent’s need for support, about what helps the parent cope with the disease and treatment of the child, about the parent’s attitudes regarding explaining the disease and treatment to the child, and about changes in the relationship between the parent and the child during the disease and treatment. Data were obtained that allowed reflecting the picture of the parent state as a crisis, associated with increased anxiety, emotional and physical fatigue, exposure to numerous stress factors, and a great need for support. The feelings experienced  by the parents correspond to the situation of loss and feeling grief, while the parent of the sick child can be “stuck” at any one stage. Behavioral reactions of parents depend on the attitudes and their personal characteristics, can help or hinder the establishment of trusting relationships with the child, and reduce anxiety. The importance of providing psychological assistance to parents to restore their resources is emphasized.

Keywords: life-threatening disease, psychoemotional state, active position, denial, depression, psychological support, proton beam therapy.

For citation: Nikiforova E.M., Vorobiev N.A., Martynova N.I., Antipin D.A. Psychoemotional state evaluation in parents of children with oncology diseases being treated at the Proton Beam Therapy Center. RMJ. 2019;6:31–36.