Identifying Survivors of Pediatric Hodgkin's Disease Who Need Psychological Interventions

Psychological functioning of adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric malignancy

“…In fact, this group of survivors appears significantly healthier than would be expected according to normative data. These findings add to the group of studies that have emphasized generally normal adjustment among childhood cancer survivors [18][19][20][21][22], and contrast with those studies that have reported higher levels of psychological problems in this population [13][14][15][16][17]. These findings also contrast with those of an earlier study conducted at this institution, in which a four-fold increase in social and behavioral problems was found amongst survivors in the age range 7-15 years [17].…”

“…The available research regarding psychosocial outcome for childhood cancer survivors does not indicate why psychosocial outcomes should differ as a function of parent-vs. child-report. However, there is a tendency for those studies relying primarily on self-report to show a more benign outcome [18][19][20], while those utilizing parent, teacher, or staff reports appear to show higher levels of maladjustment [13][14][15][16][17]. There is a large body of literature relating to the correspondence of parent and child ratings of affective distress and behavioral problems [26][27][28][29][30].…”

“…The medical records of all patients were thoroughly reviewed to identify major medical events such as diagnoses and therapies received. The socioeconomic levels of the families were calculated according to the Hollingshead Index [23], the same system used in the standardization of the SCL-90-R Cosmetic and functional impairments were rated separately as normal, mild, moderate, or severe, with modifications of criteria used in previous studies of long-term survivors of childhood cancer [15]. Inter-rater reliabilities have ranged from 87-95% in a previously study of younger children surviving cancer [17].…”

“…A number of studies have documented an increased incidence of psychological problems in childhood cancer survivors, with rates of maladjustment as high as 50% [13][14][15][16][17]. In the first major research effort in this area, Koocher and O'Malley [13] utilized both patient and parent self-reports as well as interview data from a cohort of 117 long-term survivors.…”

“…They reported that, although most long-term survivors of pediatric malignancy were able to lead relatively normal lives in terms of academic, vocational, and social functioning, nearly half showed evidence of significant psychological problems. Similarly, a study limited to adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood Hogdkin disease, utilizing interview data and study staff ratings, documented evidence of maladjustment in nearly a third of their sample [15]. Using parent and teacher questionnaires, Moore et al [16] reported a higher incidence of school and behavior problems in adolescent survivors of acute lymphocytic leukemia.…”