Correlates of depression and anxiety among family caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer in Lebanon - 25/11/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.arcped.2025.10.006

Jhony Baissary ^a, Souheil Hallit ^b,^c,^⁎ , Melyssa Assaf ^d, Feten Fekih-Romdhane ^e,^f, Mohamad Farhat ^g, Peter Noun ^b

^a Pediatrics/infectious diseases Department, Case Western Reserve university, Cleveland, OH, USA

^b School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon

^c Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan

^d Faculty of Arts and Science, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon

^e The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010 Tunisia

^f Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia

^g Hematology and Oncology Department, Saint Georges Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon

^⁎ Corresponding author at: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon. School of Medicine and Medical Sciences Holy Spirit University of Kaslik P.O. Box 446 Jounieh Lebanon

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Tuesday 25 November 2025

Abstract

Background

Cancer diagnosis in the child is stressful for the family caregiver and could have a major impact on his/her mental health, including depression and anxiety, especially during the harsh current Lebanese economic crisis. This study aims at evaluating the correlates of depression and anxiety among family caregivers of pediatric cancer patients in Lebanon.

Methods

It is a cross-sectional study, using a convenience sample of 193 caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer. Depression, anxiety, and work fatigue were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Lebanese Anxiety Scale, and 3D-Work Fatigue Inventory respectively.

Results

The results showed that 18.1 % of the participants have moderately severe depression, whereas 22.2 % show severe depression. Moreover, 79.8 % had anxiety. Having a shortage of medications (Beta = 2.38) and more mental work fatigue (Beta = 0.36) were significantly associated with more depression. Higher physical (Beta = 0.32) and mental (Beta = 0.37) work fatigue were significantly associated with more anxiety.

Conclusion

The study results should raise concerns and make physicians in Lebanon aware of the psychological status of the family caregivers and encourage them to provide adequate support. The results underscore the urgent need for advocacy to improve conditions for families and enhance access to care for children with cancer and their families.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Keywords : Depression, Anxiety, Work fatigue, Pediatric cancer, Caregivers, Lebanon