Mental health-care utilization in survivors of childhood cancer and siblings: the Swiss childhood cancer survivor study |
| |
Authors: | Micol E Gianinazzi Corina S Rueegg Nicolas X von der Weid Felix K Niggli Claudia E Kuehni Gisela Michel |
| |
Institution: | 1. Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland 2. Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children’s Hospital Basel UKBB, Spitalstrasse 33, 4056, Basel, Switzerland 3. Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland 4. Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Frohburgstrasse 3, 6002, Lucerne, Switzerland
|
| |
Abstract: | Purpose We aimed to (1) describe the utilization of mental health-care in survivors and siblings, the association with severity of distress, and visits to other professionals in distressed survivors not utilizing mental health-care; and (2) identify factors associated with utilization of mental health-care in distressed survivors. Methods Within the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, we sent postal questionnaires to all participants aged <16 years at diagnosis (1976–2003), who survived ≥5 years after diagnosis and were aged ≥16 years at study. Survivors and siblings could indicate if they utilized mental health-care in the past year. Psychological distress was assessed with the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Participants with scores T?≥?57 on two of three scales or the Global Severity Index were considered distressed. Results We included 1,602 survivors and 703 siblings. Overall, 160 (10 %) and 53 (8 %), utilized mental health-care and 203 (14 %) and 127 (14 %) were considered distressed. Among these, 69 (34 %) survivors and 20 (24 %) siblings had utilized mental health-care. Participants with higher distress were more likely to utilize mental health-care. Distressed survivors not utilizing mental health-care were more likely to see a medical specialist than nondistressed. In the multivariable regression, factors associated with utilizing mental health-care were higher psychological distress and reporting late effects. Conclusions Our results underline the importance of developing interventional programs and implementing psychological screening in follow-up of survivors. It is also important to systematically address siblings' needs. In follow-up, patients at risk should be informed about existing possibilities or advised to visit mental health professionals. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|