The effects of childhood cancer and its treatment on two objective measures of psychological functioning Journal Article
| Authors: | Butler, R. W.; Rizzi, L. P.; Bandilla, E. B. |
| Article Title: | The effects of childhood cancer and its treatment on two objective measures of psychological functioning |
| 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 if a 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. |
| Keywords: | adolescent; child; major clinical study; methotrexate; childhood cancer; skull irradiation; social status; distress syndrome; cognitive defect; child psychology; intelligence; maladjustment; psychosomatic disorder; human; article; anxiety neurosis; intrathecal drug administration; parental behavior |
| Journal Title: | Children's Health Care |
| Volume: | 28 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 0273-9615 |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis Group |
| Date Published: | 1999-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 311 |
| End Page: | 327 |
| Language: | English |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI: | 10.1207/s15326888chc2804_3 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus |
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