Conclusions
The parents of children with cancer have more severe PTSS and depression than the parents of healthy children, but the children with cancer and healthy children have comparable PTSS level. Disease experience of the children with cancer does not obviously affect the development of PTSS, while pain experienced during cancer treatment may trigger PTSS. The parents’ PTSS and depression, family functioning and children’s PTSS are closely related in families of children with cancer. Supportive psychological intervention is strongly recommended for families of children with cancer.