Examining Coping Strategies and Their Relation with Anxiety: Implications for Children Diagnosed with Cancer or Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers

Silvia Spaggiari (), Giulia Calignano, Maria Montanaro, Silvana Zaffani, Valerio Cecinati, Claudio Maffeis and Daniela Di Riso
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Silvia Spaggiari: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization (DPSS), University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy
Giulia Calignano: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization (DPSS), University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy
Maria Montanaro: Complex Structure of Pediatrics and Pediatric Oncohematology “Nadia Toffa”, Central Hospital Santissima Annunziata, 74121 Taranto, Italy
Silvana Zaffani: Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Valerio Cecinati: Complex Structure of Pediatrics and Pediatric Oncohematology “Nadia Toffa”, Central Hospital Santissima Annunziata, 74121 Taranto, Italy
Claudio Maffeis: Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Daniela Di Riso: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization (DPSS), University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: The onset of chronic diseases in childhood represents a stressful event for both young patients and their caregivers. In this context, coping strategies play a fundamental role in dealing with illness-related challenges. Although numerous studies have explored coping strategies employed by parents of children with chronic diseases, there remains a gap in the understanding of children’s coping strategies and their correlation with their and their parents’ anxiety. This study aims to investigate coping strategies and their interaction with anxiety in groups of young patients with cancer, type 1 diabetes (T1D), and their respective caregivers, in comparison to healthy children and caregivers. We recruited a total of 61 control children, 33 with cancer, and 56 with T1D, 7 to 15 years old, along with their mothers. Each participant completed a customized survey and standardized questionnaires. No significant differences emerged in coping strategies used by children among the different groups. However, when examining the association between coping strategy and anxiety, we found specific patterns of interaction between children’s use of coping strategies and their and their mothers’ anxiety levels. This study underscores the importance of an illness-specific approach to gain deeper insights into this topic and develop targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the psychological well-being of these vulnerable populations.

Keywords: pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D); pediatric cancer; coping strategies; children’s anxiety; caregivers’ anxiety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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