ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG PARENTS HAVING CANCER DEPENDENTS

S ASHRAF; K MAHMOOD; SE FATIMA; H SADDIQUE; G ANWAR; I YASIN

doi:10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.241

Authors

S ASHRAF Ittefaq College of Nursing, Lahore, Pakistan
K MAHMOOD Ittefaq College of Nursing, Lahore, Pakistan
SE FATIMA Ittefaq College of Nursing, Lahore, Pakistan
H SADDIQUE Ittefaq College of Nursing, Lahore, Pakistan
G ANWAR Ittefaq College of Nursing, Lahore, Pakistan
I YASIN Ittefaq College of Nursing, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.241

Keywords:

Psychological Distress, Caregivers, Parents, Neoplasms, Pediatric Cancer, Anxiety, Depression, Caregiver Burden

Abstract

Background: Parents of children with cancer experience substantial psychological burden due to caregiving responsibilities, uncertainty of disease outcomes, and socioeconomic challenges. In low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan, limited access to mental health resources and sociocultural factors may further exacerbate this distress. Objective: To assess the level of psychological distress among parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Chemotherapy Department of Ittefaq Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Duration of study: March to August 2025. Methods: A total of 155 parents were recruited through non-probability convenience sampling over six months. Data were collected using a structured, pre-validated questionnaire assessing emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms of psychological distress. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages, and psychological distress was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe based on cumulative scores. Results: Among 155 participants, the majority were aged 46–65 years (45.2%), females (52.3%), and urban residents (79.4%). Psychological distress was highly prevalent, with 33.5% experiencing mild, 34.8% moderate, and 31.6% severe distress. Common symptoms included sadness (57.4%), reduced Satisfaction in daily activities (74.8%), irritability (53.5%), decreased interest in others (67.7%), sleep disturbances (51.6%), increased fatigue (64.5%), and frequent guilt (45.2%). Behavioral symptoms such as increased crying (50.3%) and indecisiveness (45.2%) were also frequently reported. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of parents of children with cancer experience moderate to severe psychological distress. These findings highlight the importance of routine psychological screening and targeted supportive interventions to improve mental well-being in this vulnerable population.

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