Course of Psychological Distress and Coping of Fathers With Cancer and Underage Children: A Longitudinal Analysis

The aim of the study was to investigate the course of psychological distress (anxiety and depression) and coping of fathers with cancer who have underage children. After completion of primary treatment, 37 fathers filled in questionnaires assessing distress (HADS) and coping (FKV) at t1 and t2. Results: Fathers reported a higher anxiety at t1 (p < .01) and t2 (p < .05) and higher depression at t1 (p < .05) compared with amatched general population sample. Unemployment (p < .05) and a child's depressive symptoms (p < .05) are risk factors for elevated distress at t1 and t2. Significant correlations were observed between distress and the coping dimensions depressive coping (r = .67) and minimization/wishful thinking (r = .56; both p <.001) at t1. The results yield further empirical evidence for the fostering of a family-focused perspective in psycho-oncological research and care.