Barbara Gantner, Cristina Priboi, Anica Ilic, Freimut Schilling, Ahmed Farrag, Katrin Scheinemann, Marc Ansari, Jeanette Greiner, Nicolas von der Weid, Pierlugi Brazzola, Manuel Diezi, Elena Lemmel, Pauline Holmer, Peter Francis Raguindin, Gisela Michel
OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study assessed psychological distress of grandparents of children recently diagnosed with cancer within 2 years post-diagnosis. We examined changes over time, identified associated factors, and compared distress levels with a comparison group (grandparents of survivors). METHODS: Grandparents were recruited via parents of children recently diagnosed with cancer (within 3 months). Survivors (3-10 years post-diagnosis) were asked to provide contact information of their grandparents (comparison group). Grandparents completed surveys at 3 (T1), 6 (T2), 12 (T3), and 24 months (T4) post-diagnosis. The comparison group completed a questionnaire once. Psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, with three subscales (depression, anxiety, somatization), and an overall score (Global Severity Index; GSI). Scores were T-standardized. We used linear mixed models to compare distress across time points and linear regressions for between-group differences (grandparents versus comparison group). RESULTS: Forty-one grandparents (mean age = 68 years, 59% female) of 20 patients participated. In the comparison group 133 grandparents (mean age = 72 years, 60% female) of 66 survivors (mean years post-diagnosis = 6.7, SD = 2.3) participated. GSI scores were all below normative values. Increases in GSI were observed from T1 to T2 (24%) and T3 to T4 (26%). Greater distance from the child's hospital was associated with lower GSI (β: -13.27, p = 0.033) and anxiety scores (β: -5.50, p = 0.017). Grandfathers reported higher levels of somatization than grandmothers (β: 4.00, p = 0.071). Older age was associated with lower anxiety (β: -9.86, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Although most grandparents reported psychological distress within normative ranges, distress levels increased in some. Targeted interventions might help support grandparents of children with cancer.