Abstract
Objective. To systematically collect and synthesize the existing literature that examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial outcomes among children diagnosed with cancer, and their families.
Methods. MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched on May 12th, 2022. We included original research and brief reports that examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological, financial, or educational outcomes among pediatric cancer patients, and their families. Prior to analysis, we assessed study quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We then conducted a thematic analysis on the results sections of eligible records.
Results. A total of 50 articles were included in the thematic analysis. We identified five themes: positive impacts of COVID-19; negative psychological experiences (subthemes: the results of restrictions, increased child risk, and the impact of information); lack of support; mass job loss (subthemes: unable to pay and financial-related stress); and disrupted education (subthemes: no special accommodations and missing out). While the COVID-19 pandemic led to a different situational context for the identified themes, many of our results match what was found in other reviews of the psychological, financial, and educational experiences of those diagnosed with cancer prior to COVID-19.
Conclusion. Overall, the findings from this review demonstrate that, thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with mostly negative psychosocial outcomes among children diagnosed with cancer, and their families. Future research should continue to investigate this topic to see if this trend continues as we live longer with COVID-19.