Brief report: Problem solving and maternal distress at the time of a childs diagnosis of cancer in two-parent versus lone-parent households

ObjectiveTo examine negative affectivity and problem-solving abilities for lone mothers and those who are married/partnered subsequent to a childs diagnosis with cancer.MethodsNegative affectivity and problem-solving strategies were assessed for 464 mothers (87 lone and 377 married/partnered) within 216 weeks of their childs diagnosis with cancer.ResultsThe two groups of mothers did not differ significantly on measures of perceived posttraumatic stress or problem-solving; lone mothers reported significantly more symptoms of depression. This difference was no longer significant when maternal education was taken into account.ConclusionsNegative affectivity and problem-solving abilities were similar for lone mothers and those that are married/partnered shortly after their child has been diagnosed with cancer. Findings are discussed within the context of contemporary strategies to assess marital status as proxy variable for various underlying constructs.