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01-09-2017 | Original Article

Determinants of social competence in pediatric brain tumor survivors who participated in an intervention study

Authors: Maru Barrera, Eshetu G. Atenafu, Fiona Schulte, Ute Bartels, Lillian Sung, Laura Janzen, Joanna Chung, Danielle Cataudella, Kelly Hancock, Amani Saleh, Douglas Strother, Dina McConnell, Andrea Downie, Juliette Hukin, Shayna Zelcer

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 9/2017

Abstract

Purpose

This prospective study describes disease/treatment, personal characteristics, and social/family contextual variables as risk and resilience factors that predict social competence in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS).

Methods

Ninety-one PBTS (51% male, mean age 11.21 years, off-treatment, attending a regular classroom >50% of the time) participated. PBTS and their primary caregivers (proxy) completed the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) to assess social competence at baseline, 2, and 8 months follow-up. At baseline, medical information (e.g., tumor type and location, cranial irradiation therapy (CIT)), personal characteristics (e.g., child’s age and gender, intelligence, executive function, attention, and memory), and social/family factors (family income and ethnicity) were obtained.

Results

Using mixed model multivariable analyses with a longitudinal component, tumor type (medulloblastoma) (p < 0.01) and poor executive function, specifically, emotional control, were the best predictors of low total and assertion self-reported SSRS scores (p < 0.02). Receiving CIT was associated with low proxy-reported assertion (p = 0.035), and cooperation score (p = 0.02). Poor emotional control was associated with low proxy-reported total (p = 0.032), assertion (p = 0.023), and self-control scores (p = 0.007). Being non-White was associated with low proxy-reported total (p = 0.016), self-control (p = 0.040), responsibility (p = 0.035), and cooperation scores (p = 0.002). There were no significant changes over time.

Conclusions

This study supports a multifactorial model of insult and non-insult factors (medical, personal, and social context) as determinants of social competence in PBTS. Data from both informants identify determinants of social competence. These factors need to be considered in future interventions to help children better improve their social competence.

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Title: Determinants of social competence in pediatric brain tumor survivors who participated in an intervention study
Authors: Maru Barrera
Eshetu G. Atenafu
Fiona Schulte
Ute Bartels
Lillian Sung
Laura Janzen
Joanna Chung
Danielle Cataudella
Kelly Hancock
Amani Saleh
Douglas Strother
Dina McConnell
Andrea Downie
Juliette Hukin
Shayna Zelcer
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3708-6

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