Post-treatment parenthood in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors

Attempted and achieved post-treatment parenthood, with or without use of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs), was assessed in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors treated from 1971-1998, aged below 50 (females) or 65 (males) at diagnosis, aged 18 to 75 at survey. Four treatment groups were constructed: radiotherapy only, low -, medium - and high gonadotoxic chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy in the three chemotherapy groups). Using Kaplan-Meier estimates, log-rank tests and Cox regression analyses, factors influencing post-treatment parenthood were investigated, with birth of the first child after treatment as the end point. Forty-five per cent (120/269) of males and 50% (91/184) of females reported attempted post-treatment parenthood. Of these, 76 (63%) males and 68 (75%) females had a child without use of ARTs. In addition 10 males and one female achieved post-treatment parenthood with use of ARTs. Treatment group was significantly associated with post-treatment parenthood, with highest probabilities after radiotherapy only and low gonadotoxic chemotherapy. In univariate analyses, age at diagnosis was a significant factor related to post-treatment parenthood in females.     

Stability of fathers’ representations of their infants during the transition to parenthood

Studies investigating fathers’ roles in child development have focused on a range of different aspects. However, few studies have focused on the early father–infant relationship, which already emerges before the child is born. The aim of this study is to examine the concordance of fathers’ representations of their children during the transition to parenthood. The influences of demographic variables, psychological wellbeing, and personality on the stability of these representations are investigated. At 26 weeks gestational age and when infants were six months old, fathers (N = 243) completed questionnaires and the Working Model of the Child Interview during a home visit. A strong association was found between fathers’ prenatal and postnatal representations. First-time fathers more often had balanced representations than fathers who already had children. Furthermore, agreeable fathers were more likely to evolve from a non-balanced prenatal representation to a balanced postnatal representation.     

The Links Between Premarital Parenthood,Meanings of Marriage,and Marital Outcomes*

Using a longitudinal sample of 373 Black and White newlyweds from the Early Years of Marriage Study, we examined the effects of premarital parenthood on meanings of marriage and the consequent effects of these meanings on the risk of divorce by the 4th year of the couples' marriages. Results indicated that premarital parents were significantly more likely than nonparent couples to mention practical advantages of marriage in year 1 (e.g., financial security, having a home, spouse is/will be a good parent). Results of Cox regressions indicated that for premarital parents, perceiving practical advantages of marriage in year 1 reduced their risk of divorce by 85%. Results are discussed in terms of the adjusting family‐life‐education and treatment needs of premarital parents compared with nonparent couples and the consequences for their marital stability.     

Characteristics of perceived parenting styles in Japan using the EMBU scale.

OBJECTIVE: The EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran) is a self-report questionnaire for the assessment of one's memory of parental rearing experiences. We are interested in using this scale to determine the characteristics of perceived parenting styles in Japan. METHOD: The study subjects consisted of 1320 healthy Japanese volunteers, comprising 687 males (52%) and 633 females (48%). We investigated the relationship between demographics and the EMBU scale. RESULTS: ANCOVA revealed that the subject's gender had a significant effect on paternal rejection scores (male > female), and both gender and birth-order position had significant effects on emotional warmth scores for both parents (female > male, and only-child > middle or last-born child). Birth-order position had significant effects on maternal over-protection, with the highest score being that of only children, and on the aspect of favouritism (favouring subjects), scores for both parents were highest from the last-born children. Rejection scores for the mother were significantly higher than those for the father from female subjects. Among both male and female subjects, emotional warmth scores and overprotection scores for the mother were significantly higher than those for the father. Among male subjects, scores for the mother on favouritism of the subject were significantly higher than those for the father. On the other hand, among female subjects, scores for the father on favouritism of the subject were higher than scores for the mother. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that parenting styles have significant interrelationships with the gender and birth-order position of the subject.     

Parents’ experiences of their teenage children’s parenthood: An interview study

In this study, we described and analyzed parents’ experiences of teenage parenthood and the provision of support to their teenage children who had recently have become parents. A qualitative method was used. In‐depth interviews with 24 participants were conducted, all parents of teenage parents. Data were analyzed using content analysis; four themes and 11 subthemes were identified. The results show that parents’ norms and values were strongly influenced by their religious beliefs. The participants had mixed emotions and reactions to their teenage children’s parenthood. Also participants were sources of support to the teenage parents and assisted them in their transition to parenthood. However, the participants also expressed the importance that their teenage children continue their education and avoid repeated pregnancies. This study highlights how emotional, instrumental, and informational support provided by parents to their teenagers can assist the latter in their transition to parenthood. In their work with teenage parents, healthcare providers can benefit from teenage parent's own parents involvement and experiences.     

Motivations for having children after cancer – a systematic review of the literature

Over the last decade, fertility‐related issues have come to the fore of clinical oncology. The majority of research though has focused on a medical perspective without considering reproductive motivations that influence decisions on fertility‐preserving options. In order to identify specific parenthood motivations in young survivors of various types of cancer, a systematic review of the literature was conducted. Relevant literature was searched manually and using databases (Medline/PubMed, PsycInfo). Of 4848 articles retrieved, 20 studies met a priori defined inclusion criteria. Cancer was found to have a likely effect on reproductive intentions. All studies reported on specific reproductive concerns, mostly related to negative consequences for the patient or on the future child. Pregnancy concerns were overrepresented in breast cancer survivors. Practical barriers to post‐cancer parenthood were financial or partner‐referred. Overall, fewer incentives than disincentives for post‐cancer parenthood were reported. They included the importance of parenthood, achieving normality and a desire to focus on the positive. As reproductive motivations and concerns affect the majority of cancer survivors of reproductive age, they should be assessed as early as possible post‐diagnosis. While researchers should focus on the development of appropriate assessment methods, clinicians might address specific reproductive concerns.