Long-term effects of a parenting program for advanced cancer: A randomized controlled trial.
Kristin Griffith, Frances Marcus Lewis
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated a telephone-delivered, five-session parenting education program for parents with advanced, non-curable cancer who were raising children. Eighty-four parents were randomized to the program or an alternative-treatment control; outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 9 months. Mixed-model analysis found that parenting skills improved significantly over time in favor of the program. In contrast, parental self-efficacy improved significantly at 6 and 9 months in favor of the control group. Only 24 participants completed all data collection periods, so the findings warrant caution.
Key findings
- Parenting skills changed significantly over time, with improvement favoring the parenting program.
- Parental self-efficacy improved significantly at 6 and 9 months, favoring the alternative-treatment control group.
- Of 84 randomized parents, 24 completed all data collection periods.
Why it matters
Parenting concerns can remain relevant during advanced cancer, and this trial suggests a structured telephone program may support parenting skills over time. The differing results for parenting skills and self-efficacy, together with substantial participant loss, mean the findings are preliminary rather than a basis for assuming broad or consistent benefit.
What to keep in mind
The sample was small, and 71% of participants were lost between baseline and 9 months, limiting confidence in the longitudinal findings.