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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Quality of life of adolescents with cancer: family risks and resources

Authors: Lamia P Barakat, Paige L Marmer, Lisa A Schwartz

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this study was to evaluate the relative contribution of treatment intensity, family sociodemographic risk, and family resources to health-related quality of life (QOL) of 102 adolescents in treatment for cancer.

Methods

Adolescents and parents completed self-report measures of teen QOL, family functioning, and parent-child bonding. Based on parent report of family sociodemographic variables, an additive risk index was computed. A pediatric oncologist rated treatment intensity.

Results

Simultaneous regression analyses demonstrated the significant contribution of roles in family functioning and quality of parent-child relationship to prediction of psychosocial QOL (parent and teen-reported) as well as parent-reported teen physical QOL over and above the contribution of treatment intensity. Family sociodemographic risk did not contribute to QOL in these regression analyses. In additional analyses, specific diagnosis, types of treatment and individual sociodemographic risk variables were not associated with QOL. Parent and teen ratings of family functioning and quality of life were concordant.

Conclusions

Family functioning, including quality of parent-child relationship, are central and potentially modifiable resistance factors in teen QOL while under treatment for cancer. Even more important than relying on diagnosis or treatment, screening for roles and relationships early in treatment may be an important aspect of determining risk for poor QOL outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
Quality of life of adolescents with cancer: family risks and resources
Authors
Lamia P Barakat
Paige L Marmer
Lisa A Schwartz
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-8-63

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