Predictors of PTSD in mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplantation: the role of cognitive and social processes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of cognitive and social processing in posttraumatic stress symptoms and disorder (PTSD) among mothers of children undergoing bone marrow and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (BMT/SCT).

METHOD: Questionnaires assessing emotional distress, BMT-related fears, and negative responses of family and friends were completed by 90 mothers at the time of the BMT infusion and 3 and 6 months post-BMT. PTSD symptoms were measured 6 months post-BMT by both paper-and-pencil and structured interview methods.

RESULTS: Emotional distress, BMT-related fears, and negative responses of family and friends assessed at the time of BMT hospitalization were predictive of later PTSD symptoms. None of these variables prospectively predicted a PTSD diagnosis as measured by the structured interview.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of general psychological distress, cognitive interpretations of the threat of the BMT for the child's future functioning, and negative responses of family and friends may place mothers at risk for post-BMT posttraumatic stress symptomatology.