Stress Management Intervention for Mothers of Children With Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

- biologic, adoptive, or legal guardian mothers of children (birth to 17 years) who
are within 6 weeks of being newly diagnosed with any cancer, with the exception of a
central nervous system (CNS) cancer or early stage lymphoma, recruited from the
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP)

- no reported clinical history of psychotic or bipolar illness, neurological disorder
(stroke, transient ischemic attacks, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis) or
chronic disease known to influence immune function, including cardiovascular disease,
cancer [within the past 2 years], or autoimmune disease

- not taking medications that might alter responses to questionnaires or indices of
immune function (including major sedatives or glucocorticoid, anti-inflammatory,
anti-retroviral, or immunosuppressant medication)

- fluency in English (i.e., have commonly used English in everyday speaking and reading
for at least 10 years)

- is at least 18 years of age

- not working nightshifts exclusively.

Exclusion Criteria:

- mothers of children with CNS cancers due to our belief that a psychosocial
intervention tailored more specifically to the unique stressors inherent in this
diagnosis is warranted

- mothers of children with early stage lymphomas will be excluded because of their
child's brief/mild treatment course

- mothers whose child is older than 17 years will not be eligible; the upper age limit
(17 years) was established based on referral patterns at the CHP hematology/oncology
department.