Abstract
The current study describes the development and evaluation of a structured group intervention for school-aged and adolescent siblings of childhood cancer patients. Twenty-three siblings participated in a six-week program in which parallel groups of younger (ages 7–11) and older (ages 12–17) siblings were conducted. Defined topics were selected from the clinical and research literature and on the basis of a pre-intervention survey, and were addressed at each session. Methods included facilitated group discussion, art therapy techniques, role playing, and informal social interaction. Pre- and postmeasures of cancer-related knowledge, feelings and attitudes towards cancer, and overall mood state were administered. Results indicated statistically and clinically significant improvements in interpersonal problems, intrapsychic preoccupation, disease-related communication, mood, and cancer-related knowledge. Consent and attendance rates, as well as post-intervention satisfaction ratings highlight the subjective need felt by siblings and parents for direct, focused work with this population. Salient issues for siblings of pediatric cancer patients, specific techniques, group dynamics and processes, and staff and parent responses to the intervention program are discussed. The need for replicable, empirically validated interventions for family members of seriously-ill children is emphasized.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams-Greenly, M., Shiminski-Maher, T., McGowan, N., & Meyers, P. A. (1986). A group program for helping siblings of children with cancer.Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 4, 55–67.
Cadman, D., Boyle, M., & Offord, D. R. (1988). The Ontario child health study: Social adjustment and mental health of siblings of children with chronic health problems.Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 9, 117–121.
Carpenter, P. J., Sahler, O. J., & Davis, M. S. (1990). Use of a camp setting to provide medical information to siblings of pediatric cancer patients.Journal of Cancer Education, 5, 21–26.
Chesler, M. A., & Barbarin, O. A. (1987).Childhood cancer and the family. New York: Bruner/Mazel.
Dolgin, M. J., Blumensohn, R., Sahler, O. J., Rohgmann, K. J., Carpenter, P. J., Mulbern, R. K., Sargent, J. R., Barbarin, O. A., Copeland, D. R., & Zeltzer, L. K. (1993). Sibling adaptation to childhood cancer: A cross-cultural study. Presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco.
Dolgin, M. J., & Phipps, S. (1995). Reciprocal influences in family adaptation to childhood cancer. In C. Cooper, L. Beider, & A. Kaplan-Denour (Eds.).Cancer and the Family. London: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Drotar, D., & Crawford, P. (1985). Psychological adaptation of siblings of chronically-ill children: Research and practice implications.Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 6, 355–362.
Gregg, M., & White, L. (1987). Siblings of pediatric cancer patients. A population at risk.Medical and Pediatric Oncology, 15, 62–68.
Heiny, S. P., Goon-Johnson, K., Ettinger, R., & Ettinger, S. (1990). The effects of group therapy on siblings of pediatric oncology patients.Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing.7, 95–100.
Horowitz, W. S., & Kazak, A. E. (1990). Family adaptation to childhood cancer: Siblings and family systems variables.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19, 221–228.
Kazak, A. E., & Nachman, G. S. (1991). Family research on childhood chronic illness: Pediatric oncology as an example.Journal of Family Psychology, 4, 462–483.
Kinrade, L. C. (1985). Preventive group intervention with siblings of oncology patients.Children's Health Care, 14, 110–113.
Kramer, R. F. (1984). Living with childhood cancer: Impact on healthy siblings.Oncology Nursing Forum, 11, 44–51.
Lavigne, J. V., & Ryan, M. (1979). Psychologic adjustment of siblings of children with chronic illness.Pediatrics, 63, 616–627.
Menke, E. M. (1987). The impact of a child's chronic illness on school-aged siblings.Children's Health Care, 15, 132–140.
Patterson, J. M. & McCubbin, H. I. (1983). Chronic illness: Family stress and coping. In C. R. Figley & H. I. McCubbin (Eds.).Stress and the family: Coping with catastrophe. New York: Bruner/Mazel.
Sabbeth, B. (1984). Understanding the impact of chronic childhood illness on families.Pediatric Clinics of North America, 31, 47–57.
Sahler, O. J., & Carpenter, P. J. (1987). Developmental differences in siblings perceptions of the pediatric cancer experience. Presented at the Society for Behavioral Pediatrics, Anaheim, CA.
Sahler, O. J., & Carpenter, P. J. (1989). Evaluation of a camp program for siblings of children with cancer.American Journal of Diseases in Children, 143, 690–696.
Sahler, O. J., Rohgmann, K. J., Carpenter, P. J., Mulhern, R. K., Dolgin, M. J., Sargent, J. R., Barbarin, O. A., Copeland, D. R., & Zeltzer, L. K. (1994). Sibling adaptation to childhood cancer collaborative study: Prevalence of sibling distress and definition of adaptation levels.Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 15, 353–366.
Sahler, O. J., Rohgmann, K. J., Carpenter, P. J., Mulhern, R. K., Dolgin, M. J., Copeland, D. R., Varni, J., Katz, E. R., & Phipps, S. (in progress). Maternal problem solving training in childhood cancer. National Cancer Institute Grant (R25-CA65520-01).
Sourkes, B. M. (1980). Siblings of the pediatric cancer patient. In J. Kellerman (Ed.).Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, Ill., C.C. Thomas.
Sourkes, B. M. (1987). Siblings of the child with a life-threatening illness.Journal of Children in Contemporary Society, 19, 159–184.
Sourkes, B. M. (1991). Truth to life: Art therapy with pediatric oncology patients and their siblings.Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 9, 81–96.
Walker, C. L. (1988). Stress and coping in siblings of childhood cancer patients.Nursing Research, 37, 208–212.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dolgin, M.J., Somer, E., Zaidel, N. et al. A structured group intervention for siblings of children with cancer. J Child Adolesc Group Ther 7, 3–18 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02548945
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02548945