THE SILENT SURVIVARS : PARENTS LIVING WITH CHILDHOOD TROUMA: PTSD AMONG

Childhood cancer is a major source of psychological stress for parents and caregivers. The present study, "Caregiver's Stress Including PTSD of Paediatric Oncology Patients in Hyderabad," aimed to assess parental stress, determine the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and identify factors associated with PTSD among parents of paediatric oncology patients. A prospective observational case-control study was conducted at BIACH&RI, Hyderabad, between July 2018 and December 2020. Parenting stress was assessed using the Paediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP) and PTSD using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) The study found a 22% incidence of PTSD among parents. Significant stress factors included hospital visits, inability to attend work, financial difficulties, witnessing the child's pain or eating difficulties, making treatment decisions, helplessness, assisting with medical procedures, fear of death, missing family events and spending time in unfamiliar settings. The study concludes that parents of paediatric cancer patients are a high-risk group for PTSD.Periodic screening, counselling, psychosocial support and family-centred care are recommended.