Post-traumatic growth and cancer-related communication among adolescents having mothers with breast cancer

Rei Oshiro; Masahiko Tanabe; Keiichiro Tada; Junko Takei; Hideko Yamauchi; Youko Warita; Kiyoko Kamibeppu

doi:10.1007/s00520-023-07915-z

Post-traumatic growth and cancer-related communication among adolescents having mothers with breast cancer

Support Care Cancer. 2023 Jul 7;31(7):446. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07915-z.

Authors

Rei Oshiro^{1

2}, Masahiko Tanabe³, Keiichiro Tada⁴, Junko Takei⁵, Hideko Yamauchi⁵, Youko Warita⁶, Kiyoko Kamibeppu^{7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Nursing, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. lei.oshiro2014@gmail.com.
² Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Hyogo Medical University, 1-3-6 Minatojima, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, 650-8530, Japan. lei.oshiro2014@gmail.com.
³ Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
⁴ Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Nihon University Itabashi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
⁵ Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
⁶ Department of Nursing, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
⁷ Department of Family Nursing, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
⁸ Graduate Programs in Family Nursing, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 37414957
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07915-z

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of post-traumatic growth (PTG) among adolescents having mothers diagnosed with breast cancer and the relationship between PTG and cancer-related communication with breast cancer survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using anonymous self-report questionnaires with breast cancer survivors and adolescent children. PTG in adolescents was measured using the Japanese version of the revised PTG Inventory for Children (PTGI-C-R-J). Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was implemented. To evaluate the impact of cancer-related communication on each subscale, the total score of cancer-related communication was switched with other subscales individually within the constructed model.

Results: A total of 97 breast cancer survivors and their adolescent children were included. The mean scores of the total PTGI-C-R-J and subscale scores for "personal strength," "new possibilities," "relating to others," "appreciation of life," and "spiritual change" were 9.0, 1.7, 1.8, 2.3, 2.4, and 0.9, respectively. The connection between PTG and cancer-related communication was partially clarified. The PTGI-C-R-J score was higher when adolescents shared more information regarding breast cancer with their mothers and lower when adolescents expressed more negative feelings toward their mothers. Communication regarding relationships with mothers was not correlated with PTG.

Conclusions: Of all PTG domains, "relating to others" and "appreciation of life" were comparatively higher in adolescents. Health professionals should support breast cancer survivors to ensure that they convey appropriate information regarding their treatment plans and side effects to their adolescent children. Health professionals should help adolescent children express their negative feelings calmly and clearly.

Keywords: Adolescents; Breast neoplasms; Cancer; Mental health; Oncology; Parent–child relationship.

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Breast Neoplasms*
Child
Communication
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*
Survivors

Grants and funding

21K17382/Grant-in-aid for early career scientists