Mediating Role of Parent-Child Conflict in the Association Between Parental Anxiety and Emotional Behavioral Problems Among Children With Leukemia.

Abstract

Background: There is a documented risk of emotional and behavioral disorders in children with leukemia. Assessing the factors contributing to their behavioral disorders is particularly important from a prevention perspective.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the influencing factors of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children with leukemia from the perspective of adult family members.

Methods: Cluster sampling was utilized to recruit a sample of 219 children diagnosed with leukemia. The caregivers of these children completed assessments on parental anxiety, parent-child conflict, and internalizing and externalizing child behavior problems.

Results: Study findings indicate that children diagnosed with leukemia exhibit significant internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Parental anxiety has a positive direct impact on both the internalizing and externalizing behavioral difficulties experienced by their children. Furthermore, parental anxiety indirectly influences the occurrence of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems through parent-child conflict.

Conclusion: Findings underscore the potential for enhancing the parent-child relationship as a means to mitigate children's internalizing and externalizing problems by reducing parent-child conflict and parental anxiety.

Implications for practice: The child and family-centered care approach in pediatric nursing is fundamental in assessing and addressing the needs of the child and family. To ameliorate emotional behavior issues in children with leukemia, the quality of the parent-child relationship needs to be considered as a pivotal component of family-based interventions and clinical practice.