Post-Traumatic stress disorder of the child survivor of cancer and their perception about parental experience

This investigation aimed to describe, analyze and comprehend the experience of survival after childhood cancer, emphasizing the child's perception of the parent's experience and the evaluation of the child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. So, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants, who also answered the UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for DSM-IV - Child Version. The child's perception of the parental experience confirmed evidences pointed out by specialized literature. The total and partial diagnosis rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder were moderate. Finally, it was possible to suggest a likely connection between the way the parental experience is perceived and the total severity score of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children. Further investigation, with more significant samples, is recommended in order to develop evaluation tools to be applied in other health situations.

survival; cancer; child; child post-traumatic stress; pediatric psycho-oncology