Comparing parental distress for families with children who have cancer and matched comparison families without children with cancer.

We conducted two studies about parental perceptions of both distress and family functioning for parents of children with cancer and matched comparison parents without an ill child. Results from Study 1 showed no significant differences between mothers or fathers of children with cancer and comparison mothers or fathers on multiple dimensions of psychological distress or family functioning. For Study 2, we added a measure of social support. Findings pertinent to psychological dis