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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 1/2008

01-01-2008 | Original Article

Psychosocial functioning of young adolescent and adult survivors of childhood cancer

Authors: Marina Servitzoglou, Danai Papadatou, Ioannis Tsiantis, Helen Vasilatou-Kosmidis

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Goals of work

The present study aimed to assess the psychosocial well-being of Greek adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer and, in particular, self-esteem, anxiety, coping strategies, and social functioning.

Patients and methods

The sample comprised 103 Greek childhood cancer survivors and 135 healthy controls. The Battle Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory (BCSEI), the Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Lazarus and Folkman Ways of Coping, and 36-item short-form instruments were used along with The Questionnaire for the Quality of Life.

Main results

Survivors scored higher than controls on all STAI subscales, but on State, the difference was statistically significant only for female adults, while on the Trait subscale, for the entire group. Survivors scored lower on Personal and higher on Lie subscale of BCSEI, by comparison to controls. When coping with stressful events, the use of self-blame strategies and wishful thinking were more frequent among controls, while distancing strategies more common among survivors.

Conclusions

The long-term psychological functioning of Greek survivors of childhood cancer is satisfactory, with emotional difficulties, such as increased anxiety and lower self-esteem, receding over time. Survivors experience personal growth and mature through trauma as they develop a positive view of the impact that the cancer experience has upon their life.
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Metadata
Title
Psychosocial functioning of young adolescent and adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors
Marina Servitzoglou
Danai Papadatou
Ioannis Tsiantis
Helen Vasilatou-Kosmidis
Publication date
01-01-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0278-z

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