Assessment of the intensity of state-trait anxiety of children with cancer

TL;DR

This study found that children with cancer experience mild to moderate anxiety, with anxiety levels influenced by factors like age, gender, and parental education.

Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on state-trait anxiety in children with cancer and identifies socio-demographic correlates.

Findings

Children with cancer had lower state anxiety than the control group, but no significant difference in trait anxiety.

Girls and older children (14-16 years) experienced higher trait anxiety.

Higher paternal education was associated with lower anxiety in children.

Abstract

Children with cancer face many difficulties on a daily basis which place them at increased risk of developing anxiety and discomfort.

To assess the intensity of state-trait anxiety in children with cancer.

The sample of the study consisted of 100 children from Greek Children’s Hospital, aged 8-16 years, of which 56 had cancer, representing the study group while the control-group was 44 in an outpatient clinic with endocrinological problems. Data were collected by the completion of the questionnaire “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children” by Ch. Spielberger. Statistical package S.P.S.S. was used for statistical analysis. 22 and the statistical test, t-test and anova. The significance level was set at p <0.05.

Of the total sample, sarcoma 38%, brain Ca 14%, 48% endocrine problem, and the largest percentage (57%) were aged 8-10 years. Children with cancer in 44.6% were under treatment and 55.4% in remission or recovery. Body image change was experienced by the 44%. The mean value of the state anxiety was 30.3±5.4 and trait was 35.3±6.9. Children with cancer experienced lower levels of state anxiety compared to control group, p =0.049, and did not differed in terms of trait anxiety, p=0.060. In the total sample, girls experienced trait anxiety of the highest intensity, p=0.018 and children aged 14-16, p=0.020. No statistically significant differences were found in relation to the type of cancer in both state and trait anxiety, p=0.096 and p=0.424, in relation to the phase of the disease and the change of body image, p>0.05. Children whose fathers were of higher education experienced less anxiety and differed significantly from those of primary and secondary education, p=0.036 and p=0.021, respectively. Comparison between control group and study group in relation to gender, showed that girls with cancer experienced trait anxiety of higher intensity, p=0.029 but children between 14-16 years from the control group experienced trait anxiety of higher intensity, p=0.030.

Children of both groups experienced mild to moderate anxiety and its intensity was related to socio-demographic factors of the children and their parents.

None Declared