Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a widely practiced therapy for many life-threatening childhood disorders. The authors investigated the psychosocial effects of HSCT on siblings of pediatric HSCT patients (n = 44; 21 donors, 23 nondonors, ages 6 to 18 years). Donor siblings reported significantly more anxiety and lower self-esteem than did nondonors. Nondonors showed significantly more school problems. Approximately one third of all siblings reported moderate to severe posttraumatic stress. The study drew on the developmental theory of Erik Erikson and the psychosocial model of posttraumatic stress. As part of the study, the authors used the Measures of Psychosocial Development (MPD), a self-report measure based on Eriksonian constructs. The MPD was used to assess the psychosocial adjustment of 12 siblings who were adolescents (> or =13 years) at the time the study was conducted. In this article, findings are presented from the MPD as well as salient findings from the larger study.
This study explored how Latinas diagnosed with a breast abnormality suspicious for cancer define and use social support while undergoing diagnostic follow-up and/or awaiting a definitive diagnosis. Qualitative data was collected and analyzed from 15 telephone interviews with Spanish-speaking women diagnosed with a breast abnormality suspicious for cancer. Findings indicated that social support was perceived as the comfort, caring, and esteem a person receives from others. With respect to family support, half of the participants felt female family members (e.g., daughters, mothers) were more supportive than male family members (e.g., fathers, sons) when discussing their illness. Many participants felt that asking for help from family members, friends, and health professionals was acceptable under medical circumstances and less justifiable under non-medical circumstances. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Latinas diagnosed with a breast abnormality suspicious for breast cancer are more likely to seek support from family members, friends and health professional after a definitive diagnosis has been given. Additional research is needed to assess the impact of social support in increasing adherence to diagnostic follow-up procedures for a breast abnormality.
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