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The desire for children among adult survivors of childhood cancer: Psychometric evaluation of a cancer-specific questionnaire and relations with sociodemographic and psychological characteristics.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	The desire for children among adult survivors of childhood cancer: Psychometric evaluation of a cancer-specific questionnaire and relations with sociodemographic and psychological characteristics.
Authors:	Ernst, Mareike (AUTHOR), Brähler, Elmar (AUTHOR), Wild, Philipp S. (AUTHOR), Faber, Jörg (AUTHOR), Merzenich, Hiltrud (AUTHOR), Beutel, Manfred E. (AUTHOR)
Source:	Psycho-Oncology. Mar2020, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p485-492. 8p.
Subjects:	Childhood cancer, Cancer survivors, Questionnaires, Sociodemographic factors, Family planning, Parenthood, Psychological manifestations of general diseases, Psychosocial factors
Abstract:	Objective: Long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are less likely to become parents than their peers of the same age. Previous research has suggested that besides fertility, this outcome is shaped by psychosocial factors such as emotional motives toward having a child. Drawing from a sample of CCS with survival times >25 years, we present the validation of a questionnaire assessing cancer-specific reproductive motives and concerns.Methods: We evaluated the cancer-specific version of the Leipzig Questionnaire of Motives to have a Child (LKM-C) in a register-based sample of adult CCS (N = 632, 31% had children, 44.5% women). We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and tested associations with sociodemographic characteristics and psychological symptoms (PHQ-9, GAD-2).Results: The questionnaire showed good item discrimination parameters and reliability (α = 0.86). The two-factorial structure was confirmed with the independent scales "return to normalcy" and "illness-related worries (child's/own health)." On average, CCS reported more motives in favor of a child than worries (P < .001; d = 1.12). Favorable attitudes were associated with the presence of a partnership and children, stronger current desire for a child, and fewer depressive symptoms. Worries were associated with an unfulfilled desire to have a child and elevated levels of depression and anxiety symptoms.Conclusions: The LKM-C offers a brief measure of parenthood motivations in long-term CCS. Having a child signifies return to normalcy, health, fulfillment of life perspectives, and enrichment of the partnership. Less intense worries included illnesses of the child and concerns regarding one's own health. The questionnaire could inform follow-up care, psychotherapy, and fertility treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Psycho-Oncology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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