Feasibility, satisfaction, and preliminary results of a coping skills training program for parents of children with cancer

Objective: While parents of children with cancer experience increased levels of emotional distress, considerable variability in adjustment and distress is evident. The current study aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of a semi-structured intervention protocol based on a three-factor theoretical model of coping and distress using a single-arm study design. The intervention focused on reducing the use of avoidance-focused coping techniques, expanding the repertoire of problem-, and emotion-focused coping techniques, and increasing flexibility in applying these techniques. Methods: A sample of 22 mothers and 10 fathers (N = 32) of children undergoing active cancer treatment were recruited from a pediatric hematology-oncology department. The manualized intervention protocol consisted of six 1-hr sessions. Parents completed standardized measures at three time points: baseline, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up. Parents also completed an acceptability measure and four brief open-ended questions evaluating their satisfaction and experience with the intervention. Results: Of 48 eligible parents who were approached, 32 agreed to participate in the intervention (enrollment rate = 66.67%) and of these, 25 completed the intervention (retention rate = 78.13%), supporting the intervention’s feasibility. Parents who completed the intervention provided positive feedback and high satisfaction ratings. Descriptive patterns across pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments reflected expected directions of change in coping and distress measures. Conclusions: These results support the feasibility and acceptability of a theory-driven intervention based on a three-dimensional model of parental coping and distress. Although preliminary descriptive changes were observed across assessment points, these should not be interpreted as evidence of efficacy. Larger controlled trials are necessary to rigorously evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness.