LEVEL OF STRESS AND DEPRESSION AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM CANCER

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present research was to investigate the psychological effects of cancer (ill family member) in mothers of children suffering from this disease. After reviewing the literature following hypotheses were formulated.   (a) Stress level will be high in the mother of children with cancer as compared to the mother of children with out cancer;(b) Depression would be high in the mothers of children with cancer as compared to mothers of children with out cancer.

Duration and Place of Study: From Jan2008 to Dec2008 at Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi

Method: A sample of 45 mothers was selected through purposive sampling techniques from different hospitals and areas of Karachi-Pakistan during the year 2008. The entire sample (both of mother and children) divided in to two groups considering the independent group design, in which 20 children were suffering from cancer and 25 children were with out cancer (or control group) (of both gender). Their age ranged between 6 to 12 years. For children with cancer duration of physical illness was at least 1 to 2 years. While the educational level of mothers was at least metric and their socioeconomic level was middle class. After taking the informed consent the demographic sheet and The Parental Stress Index Scale (Abidin, 1995) were administered to assess the psychological effects on mothers.

Results: In order to interpret the results in statistical terminology, t- test and descriptive statistics was computed. Results indicate that there was a significant difference between level of stress and depression among mothers of children with and without cancer [t (43) =4.667, p<.00]; [t (43) =2.369, p<.02] respectively.