Psychosocial interventions for improving mental health and family functioning in families with parental cancer: A systematic review

Parental cancer significantly impacts both parents and children, necessitating psychosocial interventions to enhance family well-being. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions targeting parents with cancer on their mental health, quality of life, their children's well-being, and family functioning. A comprehensive search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for relevant articles published from 2006 to 2023. The methodological aspects of eleven studies from diverse countries were critically evaluated. The review included 496 parents, primarily female breast cancer patients, and their children. Narrative synthesis highlighted interventions that aimed to strengthen parent-child connection (Enhancing Connection (EC)), enhance family communication, improve psychological well-being of parents (Struggle for Life Intervention), and address children's mental health (Wonders and Worries (W&W)). Additionally, interventions like Cancer PEPSONE Program (CPP) aimed to expand social networks and support systems. These interventions demonstrated success in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms, parenting stress, and mitigating children's externalizing and internalizing problems. However, they were not exempt from methodological limitations such as participant selection bias, lack of blinding, and low follow-up rates. Based on the review, psychological support for parents with cancer is an emerging field, predominantly explored in Western countries with a significant emphasis on maternal experiences. The early stage of this field and inherent methodological limitations warrant cautious interpretation of these findings and further research for comprehensive understanding and application. •Psychosocial interventions for parents with cancer can improve mental health.•There is also efficacy in mitigating externalizing and internalizing problems in children.•Conducting rigorous clinical trials to substantiate the evidence is recommended.•Interventions addressing multifaceted needs of family members are suggested.