The effects of childhood cancer and its treatment on two objective measures of psychological functioning

Author(s): Rizzi, L. P., Bandilla, E. B.

Journal/Book: Child Health Care. 1999; 28: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262, USA. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 311-327.

Abstract: The incidence, severity, and potential causative and contributory factors of significant psychological distress in pediatric cancer patients and survivors were investigated. The parents of 88 childhood cancer patients (n = 24) and survivors (n = 64) completed 2 independent measures of psychological functioning on their child. Patients were all between the ages of 6 and 16 years old and were accrued from a large variety of diagnostic and treatment conditions. In analyzing the determinants of psychological functioning, the following variables were investigated: dosage of cranial irradiation (CRT), intrathecal methotrexate, and systemic methotrexate; age; sex; socioeconomic status; age at diagnosis; months since both first and last treatment; being on or off treatment; intelligence; and ifa central nervous system cancer had occurred. The overall incidence of psychological adjustment disturbances was relatively low (approximately 10% to 20%) and similar to that reported in the general population. The most common parent-reported problems were related to somatic concerns, anxiety symptoms, and cognitive disabilities. Being female, age at diagnosis, CRT, and nonverbal intelligence deficits were predictive of parent-reported cognitive impairment and socialization difficulties. No other consistent relation between the cancer and demographic variables and psychological dysfunction was noted.

Note: Article Butler RW, Oregon Hlth Sci Univ, Dept Pediat, Box 574, Portland,OR 97207 USA

Keyword(s): LONG-TERM SURVIVORS; PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT; LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA; BEHAVIOR CHECKLIST; CHRONIC ILLNESS; CHILDREN; METHOTREXATE; DEFICITS; SYSTEM

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