CLIMB® Program Evaluation of Quality of life, the Stress Response, Self Esteem in Children Whose Parent Has Cancer: Pilot Study

Children with a parent who has cancer express fears about cancer contagion, parental death and security of their life. CLIMB® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) is a support program to improve children’s ability to cope with their parent’s cancer. This pilot study aims to describe the emotional impact of CLIMB® on children with a parent who has cancer. The elementary school version of QOL (Quality of life), the SRS-C (Stress Response Scale for Children), Self Esteem, and satisfaction were evaluated.

Participants were seven children (three girls, four boys). All participants were satisfied with CLIMB®. The QOL scores significantly increased from 79.9 (SD, 19.1; median, 86.7) points before the intervention to 85.1 (SD, 15.7; median, 90.0) points after the intervention, indicating an improvement in the QOL (p=0.046). Subscale was no significant difference according to sex. In the SRS-C scores no item showed significant differences in the pre- and post-intervention scores. The total score had decreased, indicating a decrease in the stress response. The boys showed a slight increase in the scores on the physical state subscale. The self-esteem scale scores were difference between the pre- and post-intervention scores increased significantly for the total score (p=0.028) and the subscales of “self in relationships” (p=0.042) and “self-assertion and self-determination” (p=0.038).

During CLIMB®, children received accurate cancer knowledge; and valued sharing their feelings among others who are in the same situation. Children were highly satisfied with the program, although small changes were seen in QOL and stress.