The psychological well-being of parents of children diagnosed with cancer is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of pediatric oncology. These parents frequently experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which can undermine their emotional resilience and ability to support their child’s treatment. Despite the substantial mental health burden they face, structured psychological interventions remain inconsistently implemented across healthcare systems. This study explores the psychological challenges encountered by parents of children undergoing cancer treatment, examines existing gaps in mental health support, and evaluates the effectiveness of structured interventions in reducing emotional distress. A comprehensive systematic review of existing literature, combined with qualitative analysis of clinical observations, was conducted. Additionally, the study integrates advancements in computer science, particularly artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mental health tools, telehealth platforms, and data-driven predictive models, to assess their role in enhancing psychological interventions. The analysis includes a comparative evaluation of psychological support programs across different healthcare models, with a particular focus on the Bright IDEAS program and its impact on alleviating parental distress. The findings indicate that parents frequently endure significant psychological strain, yet formal psychological support services remain fragmented and insufficient in many clinical settings. Evidence suggests that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and structured peer support programs are among the most effective strategies for reducing parental anxiety and improving emotional well-being. Moreover, AI-powered chatbots, mobile health (mHealth) applications, and digital cognitive therapy tools show promise in providing scalable and personalized mental health support. However, challenges persist in ensuring standardized implementation and equitable access to these interventions. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated psychological support frameworks within pediatric oncology, incorporating digital mental health solutions to enhance accessibility, personalization, and efficiency. Healthcare policymakers and providers should prioritize the adoption of evidence-based psychological interventions, leveraging computational advancements to ensure their effectiveness in diverse clinical environments. Future research should emphasize longitudinal studies and empirical data collection to further validate the impact of these interventions and refine best practices for their implementation.

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures. American Cancer Society; 2023.

2. Greaves M. Evolutionary determinants of cancer. Cancer Discovery. 2015; 5(8): 806–820.

3. Pearce MS, Salotti JA, Little MP, et al. Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukemia and brain tumors: A retrospective cohort study. The Lancet. 2012; 380(9840): 499–505.

4. Heck JE, He D, Janzen C, et al. Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for neuroblastoma in young children: A children’s oncology group study. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2019; 188(12): 2308–2317.

5. Steliarova-Foucher E, Colombet M, Ries LAG, et al. International incidence of childhood cancer, 2001–2010: A population-based registry study. The Lancet Oncology. 2017; 18(6): 719–731.

6. Saudi Cancer Registry. Cancer Incidence Report Saudi Arabia 2021. Saudi Cancer Registry; 2022.

7. Ward ZJ, Yeh JM, Bhakta N, et al. Global childhood cancer survival estimates and priority-setting: A simulation-based analysis. The Lancet Oncology. 2019; 20(7): 837–849.

8. Gupta S, Howard SC, Hunger SP, et al. Treating childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 2021; 18(3): 145–157.

9. Robison LL, Hudson MM. Survivorship after childhood cancer. The Lancet Oncology. 2014; 15(6): e229–e238.

10. Armenian SH, Chow EJ, Ginsberg JP, et al. cardiovascular disease in survivors of childhood cancer: Insights into epidemiology, pathophysiology, and prevention. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2018; 36(21): 2135–2144.

11. Yeh JM, Ward ZJ, Chaudhry A, et al. Health care costs of childhood cancer in the United States. Pediatrics. 2020; 146(5): e20200384.

12. Sung L, Zaoutis TE, Ullrich NJ, et al. Children’s Oncology Group’s 2013 blueprint for research: Supportive care. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2013; 60(6): 1027–1030.

13. Kazak AE, Abrams AN, Banks J, et al. Psychosocial assessment as a standard of care in pediatric cancer. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2015; 62(S5): S426–S459.

14. Tremolada M, Bonichini S, Taverna L, et al. Post-traumatic stress symptoms in mothers of children with leukemia undergoing treatment: A longitudinal study. Psycho-Oncology. 2013; 22(6): 1266–1272.

15. Vrijmoet-Wiersma CM, van Klink JM, Kolk AM, et al. Assessment of parental psychological stress in pediatric cancer: A review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2008; 33(7): 694–706.

16. Ljungman L, Hovén E, Ljungman G, et al. Does psychological screening of parents of children with cancer lead to improved psychological well-being? A systematic review. Psycho-Oncology. 2018; 27(8): 2066–2073.

17. Braun, V., Clarke, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2006; 3(2): 77–101.

18. Kazak AE, Alderfer MA, Streisand R, et al. Psychological research in pediatric oncology: Progress and priorities. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2004; 29(10): 591–598.

19. Patterson P, McDonald FEJ, White KJ. Parenting challenges and hospital experiences for parents of children with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2021; 46(6): 648–657.

20. Sahler OJZ, Dolgin MJ, Phipps S, et al. Specificity of problem-solving skills training in mothers of children newly diagnosed with cancer: Results of a multisite randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013; 31(10): 1329–1335.

21. Barrera M, Hancock K, Rokeach A, et al. Parental stress during pediatric cancer treatment: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2022; 47(5): 489–506.

22. Wakefield CE, McLoone JK, Butow PN, et al. Parental adjustment and coping mechanisms in pediatric oncology: A comparative study across healthcare systems. Psycho-Oncology. 2022; 31(6): 832–845.

23. Kearney JA, Salley CG, Muriel AC. Providing psychosocial care to parents of children with cancer: A review of interventions and new models. Psycho-Oncology. 2021; 30(4): 556–566. doi: 10.1002/pon.5615

24. Jones BL, Decker C, Barfield RC. Addressing the psychological impact of childhood cancer on families: Future research and intervention directions. Cancer. 2023; 129(9): 1575–1589. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34978

25. Boman KK, Lindahl A, Björk O. Parental coping and distress: A longitudinal study of families of children with cancer in Sweden. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. 2004; 21(2): 89–97. doi: 10.1177/1043454203262670

26. Lim SLS, Grupp SA, DiNofia AM. Tisagenlecleucel for treatment of children and young adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2023; 70(6): e29123. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29123.

27. Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer Publishing Company; 1984.

28. Bowen M. Family therapy in clinical practice. New York: Jason Aronson; 1978.

29. Engel GL. The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science. 1977; 196(4286): 129–136. doi: 10.1126/science.847460

30. Rosenberg AR, Bona K, Kroon L, et al. Long-term parental psychological outcomes following a child’s cancer diagnosis: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2023; 48(3): 521–535. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsac089

31. Wakefield CE, McLoone JK, Butow P, et al. The psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on parents: A review of the literature. Psycho-Oncology. 2022; 31(2): 345–359. doi: 10.1002/pon.5693

32. Ward ZJ, Yeh JM, Bhakta N, et al. Estimating Total Incidence of Global Childhood Cancer: A Simulation-Based Analysis. The Lancet Oncology. 2022; 23(4): 4823–493.

33. Vrijmoet-Wiersma CM, van Klink JM, Kolk AM, et al. Psychological stress in parents of children with cancer: A review. Psycho-Oncology. 2008; 17(3): 240–249. doi: 10.1002/pon.1242

34. Barrera M, Atenafu EG, Pinto JK, et al. Psychological Impact of Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis on Families: A Review of Multidisciplinary Interventions. Pediatr. Blood Cancer. 2023, 70(2), e29985.

35. Barrera M, D’Agostino NM, Gammon J, Spencer L, et al. Health-related quality of life and psychosocial functioning of siblings of children with cancer. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2014; 61(4): 706–710. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24861

36. McNeil SB, Psihogios AM, Suorsa KI, et al. A meta-analysis of family functioning in pediatric cancer: A comparison with healthy and chronically ill peers. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2021; 46(2): 155–168. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa092.

37. Wakefield CE, Butow P, Fleming CA, et al. Family Functioning and Psychological Distress in Parents of Children with Cancer: A Systematic Review. Psycho-Oncol. 2023; 32(5): 875–889.

38. Kearney JA, Salley CG, Muriel AC. Standards of Psychosocial Care for Parents of Children with Cancer: A Global Perspective. Support. Care Cancer. 2015; 62: S632–S683.

39. Rosenberg AR, Dussel V, Kang T, et al. Psychological Distress and Resilience in Parents of Children with Cancer: A Longitudinal Study. JAMA Pediatr. 2013; 167(6): 537–543.

40. Wiener L, Viola A, Kazak AE, et al. Pediatric psychosocial oncology care: Standards, guidelines, and consensus reports. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2015; 62(S5): S426–S433. doi:10.1002/pbc.25760.