Table 1. Summary of the included records (N = 36 studies on N = 19 different interventions).
| Name of Intervention | Study, Country | Focus of article | 1. Diagnosis; 2. Target group | 1. Setting; 2. Structure | Aims of intervention |
| Family interventions (n = 18 studies on n = 8 interventions) | |||||
| ‘Getting well together’ | John et al., 2010, 2013; Germany [27, 28] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (Within-subject control group (N = 116)) | 1. Breast cancer; 2. Mothers and their children | 1. Mother- child inpatient rehabilitation program; 2. 3 weeks | Support the family system, prevent at risk children from developing serious emotional and behavioural problems |
| Culturally adapted family intervention | Davey et al., 2012; USA [29] | Description/ Implementation process | 1. Cancer, stage I,II,III; 2. African American families with school-aged children | 1. Children's support group, multiple group family therapy; 2. 3x 90 minutes (children), 2x 120 minutes (family) | Improve family communication, improve parent-child attachment for African American families |
| Davey et al., 2013; USA [30] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 7) vs. CG (n = 5)) | ||||
| Family Focused Grief Therapy | Kissane et al., 2006, 2007; Australia [31, 40] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 53) vs. CG (n = 28); baseline, 6 and 13 months post bereavement) | 1. Terminal cancer; 2. At risk families (based on FRI), child >12 years | 1. Whole family; 2. 4–8 sessions before and after death, 90 minutes | Optimize cohesion, communication, and handling of conflict, promote the sharing of grief and mutual support |
| The Family Support Program (Family Talks in Cancer Care) | Bugge et al., 2008, 2009; Norway [15, 32] | Evaluation: Qualitative design (N = 6 families) up to 6 weeks after conclusion | 1. Incurable cancer; 2. Whole family, children 5–18 years | 1. Child, parent, family setting; 2. 5 weekly sessions | Prevent psychosocial problems, promote coping, help to talk about disease, knowledge and information about disease, help to plan for the future |
| Preventive Counselling Service (COSIP), Germany | Koch et al., 2011 [35] | Description of indication for intervention | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family (child <18 years) | 1. Child-, parent-, family-, single setting; 2. Initial diagnostic phase, 3–8 intervention sessions | Family level: facilitate open communication about disease, enable flexible handling of divergent needs, prevent children from dysfunctional parentification; Parental level:enhance self-perceived competence in parenting, increase parental emotional availability; Child level:enhance cognitive comprehension of disease, legitimate individual feelings and needs, enhance active coping, integrate ambivalent feelings toward ill parent, initiate anticipatory grief |
| Komo-Lang et al., 2010 [43] | Description of intervention, Case report | ||||
| Kühne et al., 2013 [44] | Implementation process | ||||
| Romer et al., 2007 [34] | Implementation process | ||||
| Romer et al., 2011 [33] | Description of intervention | ||||
| Paschen et al., 2007; Germany [36] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (post intervention (N = 25 families)) | 1. Somatic illness; 2. Whole family (child <18 years) | See Romer et al., 2007; Additionally:support parents’ use of network, enhance child’s attention to resources | ||
| Preventive Counselling Service (COSIP), Finland | Schmitt et al., 2007; Finland [41] | Developmental Phase/ implementation | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family (children <18 years) | 1. Child, parent, family setting; 2. 5–6 sessions (1-2x family, 1-2x couple, 1 sibling session, 1 session each child) | Support parenting and parenthood, assess need of all family members, accompany family members in process through loss and grief |
| Preventive Counselling Service (COSIP), Denmark | Thastum et al., 2006; Denmark [37] | Evaluation: Qualitative and quantitative design (N = 24 families) | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family (children 8–15 years) | 1. Child-, parent-, family-centred, single setting; 2. 5–6 sessions | See Romer et al. 2007; Additionally: increase attention in role changes, support parents in age-appropriate communication, support parents’ use of network, support parents working through mutual problems caused by disease, enhance child’s attention to resources |
| Specification of COSIP | Dörr et al., 2012; Germany [38] | Description of intervention, Case report | 1. Cancer; 2. Families with toddlers 0–5 years | 1. Parent-child-sessions; 2. Initial session, counselling sessions, final session | Support for parent-child-dyads, psychoeducation of parents, maintaining parental competence |
| Short-term psycho-educational intervention | Hoke, 1997; USA [42] | Description of intervention, Case report | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family | 1. Child-, parent-, family-sessions; 2. About 6 sessions | Share concerns and talk about disease; increase understanding and support within families |
| Struggle for Life trial | Niemelä et al., 2012; Finland [39] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (Baseline, post intervention (4,10,18 months after completion), N = 19) | 1. Cancer; 2. Families with children 8–17 years | 1. Child-, parent-centred and family sessions; 2. 2 interventions: Let’s Talk = 2 sessions; Family Talks = 6–8 sessions | Let’s talk: strengthen children; Family Talks: support family communication, support children’s and parents’ psychosocial well-being |
| Parent-centred interventions (n = 10 studies on n = 4 interventions) | |||||
| The Enhancing Connection Program | Lewis et al., 2006; USA [50] | Evaluation (Pilot study): Quantitative design (pre-post, N = 13) | 1. Breast cancer; 2. Mothers with school-aged children | 1. Parent-centred, home-based sessions; 2. 5 sessions, 60 minutes | Enhance communication, decrease maternal depressed mood, improve parenting behaviour, improve children's adjustment |
| Davis Kirsch et al., 2003; USA [51] | Evaluation (Pilot study): Qualitative Design (N = 4 families) | Enhance interaction between mother and child dyads | |||
| Brandt et al., 2004; USA [52] | Implementation (Pilot study) (N = 8) | Improve the quality of mother-child relationship, improve parenting behaviour, improve children's adjustment | |||
| Lewis et al., 2015; USA [13] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 90) vs. CG (n = 86) (baseline, post, follow-up)) | Decrease maternal depressed mood, improve parenting behaviour, improve children's adjustment | |||
| Art-therapy program for parents | Weiß et al. 2005; Germany [58] | Description/ Development | 1. Cancer; 2. Younger patients with and without children | 1. Group setting; 2. 22 weekly sessions à 90 minutes | Creating something, reassure self-confidence, design a book to support communication with children |
| Being a parent and coping with cancer | Hasson-Ohayon & Braun, 2011; Israel [53] | Description/ Development, Feedback | 1. Cancer; 2. Patients with children undergoing chemo | 1. Parent-centred group; 2. 4 sessions/ 1 day workshop | Empower the patient and spouse in their parenting, help the parents to help their children to adjust and cope |
| Preventive Intervention for Bereaved Children | Christ et al., 1991; USA [55] | Description | 1. Terminal cancer; 2. Children 7–17 years, healthy parent | 1. Parent-centred (healthy) and sessions with children; 2. 6–8 sessions before death, 6–8 sessions after death, 90 minutes | Facilitate children’s adjustment to disease /death, support the well parent to deal with own grief, support continuance of well parent's parental functioning |
| Christ et al., 2005; USA [56] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 79) vs. CG (n = 25) (pre, post, follow-up)) | Support continuance of well parent's parental functioning, provide safe environment for the children | |||
| Christ & Siegel, 1991; USA [54] | Development/ Description of intervention | Prevent deleterious effects of terminal disease and death on children and well parent | |||
| Siegel et al., 1990; USA [57] | Development/ Description of intervention | Support the well parent to deal with own grief, support continuance of well parent's parental functioning | |||
| Child-centred interventions (n = 7 studies on n = 7 interventions) | |||||
| The Bear Essential Program | Greening, 1992; USA [49] | Description/ Implementation, Feedback | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 4–8 years and parents | 1. Child-centred and parent groups; 2. Monthly, 90 minutes | Support families in understanding each other and coping; provide supportive environment to discuss concerns |
| For kids only | Bedway & Smith, 1997; USA [45] | Description, Feedback/ Comments | 1. Cancer; 2. Children (preschool-adolescents) | 1. Child-centred group; 2. 1-day workshop | Education, support & screening of children; provide safe environment |
| School-based support group | Call, 1990; USA [46] | Description and Implementation | 1. Cancer; 2. School-aged children 6–12 years | 1. Child-centred group; 2. 10 weekly sessions, 50–55 minutes | Develop coping skills, create safe environment, share feelings, keep on with activities, educate about disease |
| Quest | Heiney & Lesesne, 1996; USA [47] | Description, Feedback | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 5–18 years | 1. Child-centred group; 2. One parent pre-program interview; 1x 2 hours, biannually | Facilitate positive coping, increase understanding about cancer and treatment, promote positive communication about diagnosis within the family system |
| On Belay | Tucker et al., 2013; USA [16] | Description, Evaluation: Qualitative design (Focus group with parents (n = 9) and children (n = 12)) | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 9–19 years | 1. Child-centred, group; 2. 1 day, 8 hours | Build community among children, help children to discover personal power |
| Kids can cope | Taylor-Brown, 1993; Canada [18] | Description/ Development | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 5–18 years | 1. Child-centred group; 2. 6 weekly sessions + information session for parents | Educate children about cancer, provide a supportive environment, increase coping skills |
| CLIMB (Children’s lives include moments of bravery) | Semple & McCaughan 2013; Ireland, UK [48] | Evaluation: Qualitative design (interviews/focus group (n = 4 parents, n = 7 children)) | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 5–12 years | 1. Child-centred group setting; 2. 6 weekly sessions á 90 minutes | Provide education about cancer, normalize emotions that a child experiences, support communication of emotions, improve coping |
| Name of Intervention | Study, Country | Focus of article | 1. Diagnosis; 2. Target group | 1. Setting; 2. Structure | Aims of intervention |
| Family interventions (n = 18 studies on n = 8 interventions) | |||||
| ‘Getting well together’ | John et al., 2010, 2013; Germany [27, 28] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (Within-subject control group (N = 116)) | 1. Breast cancer; 2. Mothers and their children | 1. Mother- child inpatient rehabilitation program; 2. 3 weeks | Support the family system, prevent at risk children from developing serious emotional and behavioural problems |
| Culturally adapted family intervention | Davey et al., 2012; USA [29] | Description/ Implementation process | 1. Cancer, stage I,II,III; 2. African American families with school-aged children | 1. Children's support group, multiple group family therapy; 2. 3x 90 minutes (children), 2x 120 minutes (family) | Improve family communication, improve parent-child attachment for African American families |
| Davey et al., 2013; USA [30] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 7) vs. CG (n = 5)) | ||||
| Family Focused Grief Therapy | Kissane et al., 2006, 2007; Australia [31, 40] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 53) vs. CG (n = 28); baseline, 6 and 13 months post bereavement) | 1. Terminal cancer; 2. At risk families (based on FRI), child >12 years | 1. Whole family; 2. 4–8 sessions before and after death, 90 minutes | Optimize cohesion, communication, and handling of conflict, promote the sharing of grief and mutual support |
| The Family Support Program (Family Talks in Cancer Care) | Bugge et al., 2008, 2009; Norway [15, 32] | Evaluation: Qualitative design (N = 6 families) up to 6 weeks after conclusion | 1. Incurable cancer; 2. Whole family, children 5–18 years | 1. Child, parent, family setting; 2. 5 weekly sessions | Prevent psychosocial problems, promote coping, help to talk about disease, knowledge and information about disease, help to plan for the future |
| Preventive Counselling Service (COSIP), Germany | Koch et al., 2011 [35] | Description of indication for intervention | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family (child <18 years) | 1. Child-, parent-, family-, single setting; 2. Initial diagnostic phase, 3–8 intervention sessions | Family level: facilitate open communication about disease, enable flexible handling of divergent needs, prevent children from dysfunctional parentification; Parental level:enhance self-perceived competence in parenting, increase parental emotional availability; Child level:enhance cognitive comprehension of disease, legitimate individual feelings and needs, enhance active coping, integrate ambivalent feelings toward ill parent, initiate anticipatory grief |
| Komo-Lang et al., 2010 [43] | Description of intervention, Case report | ||||
| Kühne et al., 2013 [44] | Implementation process | ||||
| Romer et al., 2007 [34] | Implementation process | ||||
| Romer et al., 2011 [33] | Description of intervention | ||||
| Paschen et al., 2007; Germany [36] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (post intervention (N = 25 families)) | 1. Somatic illness; 2. Whole family (child <18 years) | See Romer et al., 2007; Additionally:support parents’ use of network, enhance child’s attention to resources | ||
| Preventive Counselling Service (COSIP), Finland | Schmitt et al., 2007; Finland [41] | Developmental Phase/ implementation | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family (children <18 years) | 1. Child, parent, family setting; 2. 5–6 sessions (1-2x family, 1-2x couple, 1 sibling session, 1 session each child) | Support parenting and parenthood, assess need of all family members, accompany family members in process through loss and grief |
| Preventive Counselling Service (COSIP), Denmark | Thastum et al., 2006; Denmark [37] | Evaluation: Qualitative and quantitative design (N = 24 families) | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family (children 8–15 years) | 1. Child-, parent-, family-centred, single setting; 2. 5–6 sessions | See Romer et al. 2007; Additionally: increase attention in role changes, support parents in age-appropriate communication, support parents’ use of network, support parents working through mutual problems caused by disease, enhance child’s attention to resources |
| Specification of COSIP | Dörr et al., 2012; Germany [38] | Description of intervention, Case report | 1. Cancer; 2. Families with toddlers 0–5 years | 1. Parent-child-sessions; 2. Initial session, counselling sessions, final session | Support for parent-child-dyads, psychoeducation of parents, maintaining parental competence |
| Short-term psycho-educational intervention | Hoke, 1997; USA [42] | Description of intervention, Case report | 1. Cancer; 2. Whole family | 1. Child-, parent-, family-sessions; 2. About 6 sessions | Share concerns and talk about disease; increase understanding and support within families |
| Struggle for Life trial | Niemelä et al., 2012; Finland [39] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (Baseline, post intervention (4,10,18 months after completion), N = 19) | 1. Cancer; 2. Families with children 8–17 years | 1. Child-, parent-centred and family sessions; 2. 2 interventions: Let’s Talk = 2 sessions; Family Talks = 6–8 sessions | Let’s talk: strengthen children; Family Talks: support family communication, support children’s and parents’ psychosocial well-being |
| Parent-centred interventions (n = 10 studies on n = 4 interventions) | |||||
| The Enhancing Connection Program | Lewis et al., 2006; USA [50] | Evaluation (Pilot study): Quantitative design (pre-post, N = 13) | 1. Breast cancer; 2. Mothers with school-aged children | 1. Parent-centred, home-based sessions; 2. 5 sessions, 60 minutes | Enhance communication, decrease maternal depressed mood, improve parenting behaviour, improve children's adjustment |
| Davis Kirsch et al., 2003; USA [51] | Evaluation (Pilot study): Qualitative Design (N = 4 families) | Enhance interaction between mother and child dyads | |||
| Brandt et al., 2004; USA [52] | Implementation (Pilot study) (N = 8) | Improve the quality of mother-child relationship, improve parenting behaviour, improve children's adjustment | |||
| Lewis et al., 2015; USA [13] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 90) vs. CG (n = 86) (baseline, post, follow-up)) | Decrease maternal depressed mood, improve parenting behaviour, improve children's adjustment | |||
| Art-therapy program for parents | Weiß et al. 2005; Germany [58] | Description/ Development | 1. Cancer; 2. Younger patients with and without children | 1. Group setting; 2. 22 weekly sessions à 90 minutes | Creating something, reassure self-confidence, design a book to support communication with children |
| Being a parent and coping with cancer | Hasson-Ohayon & Braun, 2011; Israel [53] | Description/ Development, Feedback | 1. Cancer; 2. Patients with children undergoing chemo | 1. Parent-centred group; 2. 4 sessions/ 1 day workshop | Empower the patient and spouse in their parenting, help the parents to help their children to adjust and cope |
| Preventive Intervention for Bereaved Children | Christ et al., 1991; USA [55] | Description | 1. Terminal cancer; 2. Children 7–17 years, healthy parent | 1. Parent-centred (healthy) and sessions with children; 2. 6–8 sessions before death, 6–8 sessions after death, 90 minutes | Facilitate children’s adjustment to disease /death, support the well parent to deal with own grief, support continuance of well parent's parental functioning |
| Christ et al., 2005; USA [56] | Evaluation: Quantitative design (IG (n = 79) vs. CG (n = 25) (pre, post, follow-up)) | Support continuance of well parent's parental functioning, provide safe environment for the children | |||
| Christ & Siegel, 1991; USA [54] | Development/ Description of intervention | Prevent deleterious effects of terminal disease and death on children and well parent | |||
| Siegel et al., 1990; USA [57] | Development/ Description of intervention | Support the well parent to deal with own grief, support continuance of well parent's parental functioning | |||
| Child-centred interventions (n = 7 studies on n = 7 interventions) | |||||
| The Bear Essential Program | Greening, 1992; USA [49] | Description/ Implementation, Feedback | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 4–8 years and parents | 1. Child-centred and parent groups; 2. Monthly, 90 minutes | Support families in understanding each other and coping; provide supportive environment to discuss concerns |
| For kids only | Bedway & Smith, 1997; USA [45] | Description, Feedback/ Comments | 1. Cancer; 2. Children (preschool-adolescents) | 1. Child-centred group; 2. 1-day workshop | Education, support & screening of children; provide safe environment |
| School-based support group | Call, 1990; USA [46] | Description and Implementation | 1. Cancer; 2. School-aged children 6–12 years | 1. Child-centred group; 2. 10 weekly sessions, 50–55 minutes | Develop coping skills, create safe environment, share feelings, keep on with activities, educate about disease |
| Quest | Heiney & Lesesne, 1996; USA [47] | Description, Feedback | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 5–18 years | 1. Child-centred group; 2. One parent pre-program interview; 1x 2 hours, biannually | Facilitate positive coping, increase understanding about cancer and treatment, promote positive communication about diagnosis within the family system |
| On Belay | Tucker et al., 2013; USA [16] | Description, Evaluation: Qualitative design (Focus group with parents (n = 9) and children (n = 12)) | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 9–19 years | 1. Child-centred, group; 2. 1 day, 8 hours | Build community among children, help children to discover personal power |
| Kids can cope | Taylor-Brown, 1993; Canada [18] | Description/ Development | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 5–18 years | 1. Child-centred group; 2. 6 weekly sessions + information session for parents | Educate children about cancer, provide a supportive environment, increase coping skills |
| CLIMB (Children’s lives include moments of bravery) | Semple & McCaughan 2013; Ireland, UK [48] | Evaluation: Qualitative design (interviews/focus group (n = 4 parents, n = 7 children)) | 1. Cancer; 2. Children 5–12 years | 1. Child-centred group setting; 2. 6 weekly sessions á 90 minutes | Provide education about cancer, normalize emotions that a child experiences, support communication of emotions, improve coping |
IG, Intervention group; CG, Control Group; FRI, Family Relationship Index