Maternal Problem-Solving in Childhood Cancer

Maternal Problem-Solving in Childhood Cancer

The purpose of this study is to help mothers of children with cancer to cope more effectively by increasing their problem-solving skills.

The purpose of this study is:

1. to develop a time-and-attention control condition to better assess the direct and mediational effect of PSST independent of social support (placebo);
2. to develop a personal digital assistant hand-held supplement to standard PSST to provide real-time training, reinforcement, and on-the-spot documentation of PSST usage;
3. to develop independent measures of the application of problem-solving strategies in everyday life; and
4. to measure utilization of and satisfaction with other resources accessed by mothers as independent indicators of the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of PSST.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mothers of any age with a child diagnosed with any form of cancer 2-16 weeks prior to contact.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mothers of children with cancer if they do not read or speak English or Spanish, if their child is in severe medical crisis, or if they live a prohibitive distance to complete the intervention.