Concurrent Stresses in Families with a Leukemic Child

Forty-five families of children 4 to 17 years of age with acute myeloblastic or lymphoblastic leukemia were studied longitudinally over a 20-month period from the time of diagnosis. It was found that in addition to the stress of caring for their child's leukemia, the majority of families also had to cope with one or more of the following problems: (a) major medical complications of the leukemic child such as pneumonia, chicken pox, or blurred vision, (b) death of another leukemic child, family member, or friend, (c) illness requiring hospitalization, surgery, or regular medical care in a family member other than the leukemic child, (d) occupational changes, (e) financial problems, and (f) other events such as moving or changes in recreation or vacation plans. The findings demonstrate that families of leukemic children require support and assistance on a broad range of issues, not simply on disease-related anxiety per se.