Psychosocial Adjustment Among Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Multidimensional Assessment

Abstract

Identified types and frequencies of psychological difficulties manifested by pediatric oncology patients and child-, family-, and illness-related correlates of adjustment. Parents of 48 children with cancer, 4 to 17 years of age, completed the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Analysis of mean PIC scores indicated that the children had a high frequency of somatic concerns and problems in academic functioning. Similar mean PIC profiles were obtained for children across gender, age, and diagnostic groups. Overall, 52% of the children had profiles with two or more clinically significant problem areas. Children's adjustment was associated with gender, social competence, and parental coping. Boys exhibited significantly more problems than did girls. Children whom teachers rated as less socially competent and whose parents reported few effective coping responses exhibited greater difficulties in adjustment.