The relation between emotional ambivalence and emotional control in mothers and anxiety in children with cancer and the modifying role of children's sex

This study examined the role of emotional ambivalence and control of mothersin anxiety of children and adolescents with cancer. The population of this study was 8 to 17 years old children and adolescents with cancer under active treatment who were in pediatric hospital (inpatient or outpatient) in Tehran. The sample is 102 children and adolescents with cancer (56 boys and 46 girls) and their mothers. Emotional Control Questionnaire (ECQ) and Ambivalence over Emotional Expression (AEQ) for mothers and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) for sick children were used. Data analyses revealed that children whose mothers were high in emotional ambivalence reported higher level of anxiety. But significant relation between emotional control of mothers and children’s anxiety were not found. Also, result of hierarchical regression analysis showed that mother’s emotional ambivalence and control do not account any changes in children’s anxiety. However, child’s gender modifies the relationship between mother’s emotional ambivalence and control. It seems child’s sex in the relationship between mother’s emotional ambivalence and control, and child’s anxiety, may contribute to perceived social support which can lead type of adjustment with cancer and high or low anxiety.