Self-reported worries among long-term survivors of childhood cancer and their peers

Author(s): Chesler, M. A., Zebrack, B. J., Goldman, S.

Journal/Book: J Psychosoc Oncol. 1998; 16: 10 Alice St, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA. Haworth Press Inc. 1-23.

Abstract: This study examined self-reported worries of long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Three stages of analysis were conducted. Stage 1 included a comparative analysis of long-term survivors and young people without a history of cancer, Stage 2 drew on a hospital-based sample of long-term survivors and a qualitative analysis of the open-ended comments from a panel of 20 additional survivors, to examine the reliability and validity of the results from Stage 1. Stage 3 examined factors that influenced variation in degree of worries among survivors in the first sample. The findings suggest that in several related areas of general health and self-image, the survivors worried less than the comparison sample did. However, in areas related specifically to cancer, the survivors' degree of worry was higher than the degree reported by the comparison sample. These results are discussed in the context of the debate about the prevalence of psychopathology and psychological distress among long-term survivors of childhood cancer.

Note: Article Weigers ME, Gallaudet Univ, Dept Sociol, 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington,DC 20002 USA

Keyword(s): ADOLESCENT CANCER; PSYCHOSOCIAL-ASPECTS; CRANIAL IRRADIATION; HODGKINS-DISEASE; LEUKEMIA; CHILDREN; ADJUSTMENT; SEQUELAE

Zurück | Weiter