Perception of Uncertainty Concerning Illness and Coping Styles among Parents of Children with Central Nervous System Tumors: a Correlation Analysis

Lan Bai Qinqin Zhao Ying Li Zhihuan Zhou ^*

• Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Guangzhou, China

Purpose: To investigate the perception of uncertainty concerning illness among parents of children with central nervous system tumors and their coping styles and to analyze correlations to provide a basis for developing targeted intervention measures.We studied 108 parents of children with central nervous system tumors admitted from January 2023 to January 2024. Information about these children and their parents were analyzed using the modified Parents' Perception of Uncertainty in Illness Scale (PPUS) and the Coping Health Inventory for Parents to calculate correlations of parents' perceptions of uncertainty concerning illness and coping styles.The total score of PPUS was 45.28 ± 8.428 for the parents of children. The most common coping styles were the maintenance of family unity, cooperation, and optimism. The correlation analysis revealed that parents' perception of uncertainty concerning illness negative correlated with coping style (p< 0.05).The parents of children with central nervous system tumors show substantial perception of uncertainty concerning the illness and are susceptible to lack of communication and expression. Positive, effective coping methods should be adopted to reduce uncertainty concerning illness to reduce the psychological pressure on parents. Keywords Intracranial tumors; children; caregiver; parents; perception uncertainty in illness; coping style Highlights 1. Central nervous system tumors are the most common solid tumors in children. In this paper, we report an status of the perception of uncertainty concerning illness among parents of children with central nervous system tumors and their coping styles.2. Further, we show that correlations to provide a basis for developing targeted intervention.3. This study can provide reference for clinical psychological nursing and Effective clinical psychological nursing makes the families of children better integrate into the society. Promoting children's families to actively cope with the disease can reduce family pressure and social burden.