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Giugliano D. A Dimensional Analysis of School Connectedness in Adolescents Newly Diagnosed With Cancer. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY NURSING 2024; 41:188-198. [PMID: 38523330 DOI: 10.1177/27527530231214534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Background: Adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer must navigate medical, psychosocial, and educational issues when confronting this life-threatening illness. Frequent hospitalizations and intense therapy disrupt attendance at school and social events. Research supports that school connectedness is a protective factor associated with improved adolescent health, psychological, and academic outcomes. However, this phenomenon is understudied in adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer. Method: This qualitative inquiry used a dimensional analysis method to uncover the nature of school connectedness in adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer prior to school reentry. Semistructured interviews with 19 adolescents explored school relationships and experiences at the time of cancer diagnosis. Data collection and inductive analysis occurred simultaneously. Results: Analysis revealed four key dimensions: "School Days and Ways," "The Boom," "The Pause," and "Connection Reconciliation: Me, You, and Learning." Additionally, "Social Scenes," "Shared Experiences," and "Seeing and Being With" emerged as subdimensions of "School Days and Ways." All adolescents in this study described being negatively impacted by the cancer experience with universal disruption in school relationships and diminished school connections. However, the desire to restore unraveled or broken relationships and reconcile connections with self, others from the school, and learning were highly salient. Discussion: This research uncovers the meaning and context of school connectedness prior to and following a cancer diagnosis, illuminating a deeper understanding of the impact of a cancer diagnosis on adolescents, school relationships, and learning. The findings provide direction in supporting adolescents as they confront the physical, psychosocial, and educational disruptions caused by their cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra Giugliano
- Stony Brook University School of Nursing, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Kerba J, Demers C, Bélanger V, Napartuk M, Bouchard I, Meloche C, Morel S, Prud’homme N, Gélinas I, Higgins J, Curnier D, Sultan S, Laverdière C, Sinnett D, Marcil V. Needs, Barriers and Facilitators of Adolescents Participating in a Lifestyle Promotion Program in Oncology: Stakeholders, Adolescents and Parents’ Perspective. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9091340. [PMID: 36138649 PMCID: PMC9497682 DOI: 10.3390/children9091340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Treatments for adolescent cancer can cause debilitating side effects in the short- and long-term such as nausea and malnutrition but also cardiometabolic disturbances. Although the risk for cardiometabolic complications is greater for adolescents with cancer than younger ones, adolescents typically respond poorly to family-oriented health promotion programs. This study aims to assess the needs, barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle promotion interventions for adolescents with cancer and how to best adapt these interventions for them. Interviews were held with adolescents treated for cancer (n = 9) and parents (n = 6), focus groups were conducted with stakeholders working in oncology (n = 12) and self-report questionnaires were sent to stakeholders involved in a health promotion intervention (n = 6). At the time of interview, mean age of adolescent participants (40% female) was 17.0 ± 1.9 years (mean age at diagnosis: 14.6 ± 1.6 years). Verbatim and responses to questionnaires were coded and analyzed using qualitative methods. Stakeholder stated that adolescents with cancer need to access activities adapted to their age, to communicate with peers going through a similar experience, and to preserve their schooling and friendships. Barriers to intervention reported by adolescents, parents and stakeholders include lack of motivation, schedule conflicts, fatigue and treatment side effects. Some of the barriers mentioned by adolescents and parents include pain, post-surgery problems, school, physical deconditioning, and lack of time. Facilitators mentioned by adolescents and parents comprise trust in stakeholders’ expertise, personalized approaches, scheduling flexibility. Stakeholders recommended to build trust in the relationship, favoring non-moralizing teachings, adapt interventions to adolescents’ limited attention span and avoiding the use of long-term health benefits as a motivator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Kerba
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
- Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes, and Obesity Research Network (CMDO), Montreal, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Catherine Demers
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y5, Canada
| | - Véronique Bélanger
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
- Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes, and Obesity Research Network (CMDO), Montreal, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Food, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mélanie Napartuk
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
- Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes, and Obesity Research Network (CMDO), Montreal, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Food, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Isabelle Bouchard
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Caroline Meloche
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Sophia Morel
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
- Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes, and Obesity Research Network (CMDO), Montreal, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Food, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Nicolas Prud’homme
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Isabelle Gélinas
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y5, Canada
| | - Johanne Higgins
- School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X7, Canada
| | - Daniel Curnier
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Serge Sultan
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Caroline Laverdière
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Valérie Marcil
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
- Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes, and Obesity Research Network (CMDO), Montreal, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Food, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-345-4931-(3272)
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Salins N, Muckaden MA, Ghoshal A, Jadhav S. Experiences of Adolescents with Cancer Attending a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre: A Thematic Analysis. Indian J Palliat Care 2022; 28:428-433. [DOI: 10.25259/ijpc_24_2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction:
Adolescents with cancer experience several psychosocial concerns. Cancer among adolescents contributes to one-fifth of cancers in India. Most of the published empirical literature on adolescents’ views about their cancer experience is from high-income countries.
Objectives:
The objectives of the study were to explore the experiences of adolescents with cancer in India.
Materials and Methods:
Twenty-eight adolescents were purposively recruited and participated in prospectively conducted qualitative interviews conducted at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, between 2013 and 2015. Interview data were transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
Two themes and several subthemes were generated during the analysis. The transition to the new reality of illness was traumatic. It embodied fear about the unknown, disease and symptoms. The experience was isolating and disfigurement further led to peer separation. Inadequate information made the adolescents anxious and worried, and children and parents experienced moments of severe distress. The love and support received from parents, siblings and extended family facilitated positive coping. Peer support was reassuring and enabled them to have a normalising experience. Discovering their inner strength, acceptance of the situation and faith in God made them resilient and hopeful.
Conclusion:
Adolescents with cancer experience significant emotional concerns, which are often unexplored and unaddressed. An adolescent-specific communication framework and psychosocial programme contextual to the Indian setting may be developed based on the study findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Salins
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, India,
| | - Mary Ann Muckaden
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India,
| | - Arunangshu Ghoshal
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India,
| | - Sunita Jadhav
- Department of Medical Social Work, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India,
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Hart RI, Cowie FJ, Jesudason AB, Lawton J. Adolescents and young adults' (AYA) views on their cancer knowledge prior to diagnosis: Findings from a qualitative study involving AYA receiving cancer care. Health Expect 2020; 24:307-316. [PMID: 33275814 PMCID: PMC8077068 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer is rare amongst adolescents and young adults (AYA). Previous research has reported (healthy) AYA’s knowledge of risk factors and symptoms as limited, with this potentially leading to delays in help‐seeking and diagnosis. Objectives We explored AYA’s views on their cancer knowledge prior to diagnosis and if/how they perceived this as having affected their experiences of diagnosis and care. Methods We interviewed 18 AYA diagnosed with cancer (aged 16‐24 years). Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We undertook qualitative descriptive analysis, exploring both a priori topics and emergent themes, including cancer knowledge prior to diagnosis. Results Adolescents and young adults characterized their knowledge of cancer and treatment prior to diagnosis and treatment initiation as limited and superficial. AYA perceived gaps in their knowledge as having profound consequences throughout their cancer journey. These included: hindering recognition of symptoms, thereby delaying help‐seeking; impeding understanding of the significance of tests and referrals; amplifying uncertainty on diagnosis; and affording poor preparation for the harsh realities of treatment. Conclusions Adolescents and young adults perceived their limited cancer knowledge prior to diagnosis as affecting experiences of diagnosis and initial/front‐line care. These findings prompt consideration of whether, when and how, AYA’s knowledge of cancer might be improved. Two broad approaches are discussed: universal education on AYA cancer and/or health; and targeted education (enhanced information and counselling) at and after diagnosis. Patient or Public Contribution Our work was informed throughout by discussions with an advisory group, whose membership included AYA treated for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth I Hart
- Usher Institute, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Angela B Jesudason
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Julia Lawton
- Usher Institute, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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