Understanding the Perceived Influence of Childhood Cancer and NF1 on the Parents' Marital/Partner Relationship: A Descriptive Study

Background:

• Serious illnesses like cancer or Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), can cause high levels of stress in a family. When a child is diagnosed with cancer or NF1, parents face numerous stressors, each of which can strain relationships. Many parents struggle to effectively cope with the changes in parenting roles that often accompany treatment of childhood cancer or NF1. How parents cope with this stress can influence whether the relationship is strengthened or weakened. Stress levels can also affect the care of the child who has cancer or NF1. Researchers want to better understand the critical time points and events during the child s treatment when the relationship becomes most stressed and/or strengthened.

Objectives:

• To study how stress affects the relationship between parents who have a child with cancer or Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).

Eligibility:

• Parents of a child (between 1 and 24 years of age) who has been diagnosed with cancer or NF1.
• Participants must have been in a partnership at the time the child was diagnosed with cancer or NF1. At least one of the parents must be a biological or legal parent of the child.

Design:

• Participants will fill out a questionnaire either online or by paper and pencil. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. The questions ask about the experience of dealing with a child s cancer OR NF1 diagnosis and how it affects participants relationship with their spouse/partner.
• Some participants will also have an in-depth interview. It will last about an hour. It will ask further questions about the cancer OR NF1 diagnosis and treatment and its effect on the relationship.
• Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.