The Comparison of Behavioral- Emotional Problems and Skills of Childrens 6-12 Years with Parent with Cancer Compared with Control Group

Aim and This research aimed to study behavioral-emotional problems and skills of 6 to 12 year-old children with their parents suffering cancer, and compare them with children with cancer-free parents.
Methods and Materials: The study enjoyed an ex post facto design. The samples included two convenient groups of 80 persons; a group of 80 children with parents suffering cancer and another group of 80 with cancer-free parents. The measure was Child Behavioral Checklist Parent Report. For statistical analysis of the findings, a mixed one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), Mann–Whitney-U test and correlation coefficient were performed.
Findings: There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the variables of community and activities (P = 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the two groups in all three dimensions of internalized problems, one dimension of externalized problem, (P = 0.01).
Although parent's chronic diseases such as cancer can cause emotional and behavioural problems in children, they can also create field compensatory behaviors, such as advances in school in order to please parents or compensate for their dissatisfaction with medical incompetence.