The Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Families of Children With Cancer in the Low-income Setting

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound effect on families’ psychosocial well-being worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the pandemic’s impact on families of children with cancer in a low-income setting in Syria. The study conducted a cross-sectional survey of 50 families of children with cancer receiving treatment at a nongovernmental organization–based pediatric oncology unit in Syria. The survey used the Corona Anxiety Scale (CAS) to assess the pandemic’s impact on families’ anxiety, and other items to evaluate the financial toxicity of the strict measures implemented during the pandemic’s first months. The study’s results revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of families of children with cancer in Syria. Specifically, 22% of families reported a major increase in anxiety levels (CAS of >9), and the majority of families (84%) reported excessive indirect financial costs, including travel and living expenses. The study emphasizes the significant social and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families of children with cancer in Syria, highlighting the need for additional psychosocial interventions to mitigate future global health crises or pandemics’ impact on this vulnerable population. The interventions should prioritize promoting resilience and adaptive coping strategies.