Objective: To understand the psychological problems of parents of children with malignant tumor so as to provide them with adequate psychological healthcare service.
Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 68 parents of children with malignant tumor using an internationally standard anxiety scale.
Results: The 68 parents had a mean score of 44.68+/-11.26 for the scale with 6.42+/-2.25 anxiety symptoms on average. The average anxiety score of the mothers was 58.38+/-8.85, and 53.30+/-9.17 for the fathers, showing obviously difference (P<0.05). The average anxiety score of the parents with positive attitudes for treatment was 55.07+/-8.91, and that for the parents who gave up treatment for economic reasons was 66.71+/-4.50, with also significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The parents of children with malignancies almost invariably show anxiety symptom of different degrees, which can be attributed to their gender and economic status.