Adaptive style and physiological reactivity during a laboratory stress paradigm in children with cancer and healthy controls

Religious Coping and Mental Adjustment to Cancer Among Polish Adolescents

Adults suffering from chronic illnesses are more likely to look to God for support (positive religious coping; PRC) than to fight against God (negative religious coping; NRC). What about when cancer occurs during adolescence-a period of questioning the worldview and values, and at the same time searching for the sacred? Our study aimed to establish the relationships between PRC, NRC, and mental adjustment to cancer among youth and determine support's role in these relationships. The study was conducted in Poland and included 88 adolescent cancer patients who completed the Brief RCOPE and the Mini-MAC. Additionally, general well-being and support were assessed. We found that PRC was positively related to constructive adjustment style (CAS), whereas NCR was related to destructive adjustment style (DAS). Adolescents with cancer were higher in PRC than in NRC and were higher in CAS than in DAS. In young women, CAS was higher than in men. Finally, at a level of received support rated as very high, PRC promoted fighting spirit and well-being.

Comparison of psychological functioning in children and their mothers living through a life-threatening and non life-threatening chronic disease: A pilot study

Childhood chronic illness is a potential source of distress and can be a traumatic experience both for the child and for the family. Several studies highlighted the importance of integrating psychosocial care and standard medical practice in the child's care. The current pilot study is the first investigation that compared distress in children and their mothers living through a life-threatening illness (cancer) and a non life-threatening (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) chronic disease. Findings show that there are differences in the psychological functioning in children with respect to age. Moreover, the presence of posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of children with cancer seems to be a possible key to understanding the psychological response in this specific population.

Anxiety among adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer: A missing link in the survivorship literature

OBJECTIVE

With growing numbers of pediatric cancer survivors, it is becoming increasingly important to investigate the psychosocial sequelae of surviving cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. It is particularly important to study the psychosocial needs of adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer because adolescence is a critical time during psychosocial development. Although there is existent literature about the general psychosocial adjustment of this population, the literature regarding anxiety is scant. This brief review aimed to assesses currently available literature that addresses anxiety in adolescent cancer survivors.

METHOD

Articles assessing psychosocial adjustment in adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer were reviewed for information regarding anxiety symptoms.

RESULTS

To the authors' knowledge, there is no literature that focuses specifically on anxiety in this population. However, many articles reported results that indicated the possibility of increased anxiety in this group.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

It is critical to further investigate anxiety in this group and develop appropriate interventions if necessary. Doing so will aid the process of enhancing psychosocial care for adolescent cancer survivors.