Subproject 4: Longitudinal Analyses
The planned project examines the connection between psychological and medical parameters of cancer patients and the mental health of their children, and changes during the course of illness and treatment.
The aim is to achieve a longitudinal description of the interaction of diverse somatic-medical and psychosocial parameters in terms of the manifestation of psychological disorders in parents and children, with emphasis on the relation between the experience of illness and parental functioning.
This research project is a multi-center longitudinal study with three survey points (t1 – t3). Interviewees are tumor patients (with children up to 18 yrs.), their children and partners, using guideline interviews and standardized tests in the home environment. In addition to the standard demography and relevant illness data, data will be collected in the areas of mental health, health-related quality of life, social support and familial factors. Furthermore, a subsample of children’s pedagogical caretakers will be interviewed post study.
Subproject aims throughout project duration
- Examination of the reciprocal effects between parent’s cancer and the mental health of the child (research goal II)
- Examination of the reciprocal effects between mental health of cancer patients (particularly anxiety and depression) and the mental health of the child (research goal II)
- Detection of changes in mental health of cancer patients and their children during observation (research goal IV)
- Examination of the relation between experience of illness and parental function in the patients and its changes during the course of illness (research goal IV)
- Determination of care and support needs and recommendations for the conception and implementation of psychosocial care structures (research goal I + II)
Responsible:
Prof. Dr. rer. biol. hum. Elmar Brähler
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Project Management:
Dr. phil. Jochen Ernst
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University of Leipzig
Independent Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology
Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55
04103 Leipzig
Telephone: 0341 / 18800