TY - JOUR
T1 - Attitudes and Perceptions of Parenthood Among Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer
AU - Himelhoch, Alexandra C.
AU - Datillo, Taylor M.
AU - Tuinman, Marrit A.
AU - Gerhardt, Cynthia A.
AU - Lehmann, Vicky
N1 - Funding Information: Parts of this study were funded by a grant from the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Lehmann), a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (Tuinman; RUG2009-4442), and a grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS; UL1TR002733). Publisher Copyright: © Copyright 2022, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2022.
PY - 2022/4/1
Y1 - 2022/4/1
N2 - Purpose: Increasing numbers of childhood cancer survivors enter adulthood and encounter decisions surrounding parenthood. However, limited research has systematically examined how childhood cancer may influence parenthood attitudes among survivors. Methods: Adult survivors of childhood cancer, who had or wanted to have children (N = 77; Mage = 30.2 years, range: 22-43; 91% White), rated their perceived impact of cancer at enrollment and parenthood attitudes using the "Attitudes to Parenthood After Cancer Scale" 2 years later. First, internal consistencies for the parenthood measure were examined, and modified subscales were proposed. Second, hierarchical stepwise regressions analyzed the contribution of background factors and cancer's impact on parenthood attitudes. Results: Reevaluation of parenthood items yielded four subscales with improved internal consistency (α's > .78): improved parenting due to cancer, no children due to cancer, concerns about a (potential) child's health, and parenthood desire irrespective of own health concerns. Already having children (n = 38) was related to more favorable ratings on most subscales. Older age was associated with perceiving improved parenting due to cancer (r = .24) and shorter time since diagnosis was related to considering having no children due to cancer (r = -.23). Hierarchical stepwise regressions reconfirmed parenthood status as related to more favorable parenting attitudes. Cancer preoccupation and perceiving cancer as a most difficult life experience predicted more concerns toward parenthood (R2 = .044-.216). Conclusions: Parenthood attitudes were more favorable among survivors with children, who were older, and/or further into survivorship. Survivors burdened by their cancer experience reported more concerns about parenthood. Childhood cancer may shape parenthood perceptions positively and negatively, warranting further research to inform interventions.
AB - Purpose: Increasing numbers of childhood cancer survivors enter adulthood and encounter decisions surrounding parenthood. However, limited research has systematically examined how childhood cancer may influence parenthood attitudes among survivors. Methods: Adult survivors of childhood cancer, who had or wanted to have children (N = 77; Mage = 30.2 years, range: 22-43; 91% White), rated their perceived impact of cancer at enrollment and parenthood attitudes using the "Attitudes to Parenthood After Cancer Scale" 2 years later. First, internal consistencies for the parenthood measure were examined, and modified subscales were proposed. Second, hierarchical stepwise regressions analyzed the contribution of background factors and cancer's impact on parenthood attitudes. Results: Reevaluation of parenthood items yielded four subscales with improved internal consistency (α's > .78): improved parenting due to cancer, no children due to cancer, concerns about a (potential) child's health, and parenthood desire irrespective of own health concerns. Already having children (n = 38) was related to more favorable ratings on most subscales. Older age was associated with perceiving improved parenting due to cancer (r = .24) and shorter time since diagnosis was related to considering having no children due to cancer (r = -.23). Hierarchical stepwise regressions reconfirmed parenthood status as related to more favorable parenting attitudes. Cancer preoccupation and perceiving cancer as a most difficult life experience predicted more concerns toward parenthood (R2 = .044-.216). Conclusions: Parenthood attitudes were more favorable among survivors with children, who were older, and/or further into survivorship. Survivors burdened by their cancer experience reported more concerns about parenthood. Childhood cancer may shape parenthood perceptions positively and negatively, warranting further research to inform interventions.
KW - cancer preoccupation
KW - childhood cancer
KW - late effects
KW - parenthood attitudes
KW - survivorship
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85128801248&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2020.0213
DO - https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2020.0213
M3 - Article
C2 - 33999693
SN - 2156-5333
VL - 11
SP - 138
EP - 145
JO - Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology
JF - Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology
IS - 2
ER -