The Development of Youth With Cancer and Their Siblings

Amy GreenYouth Development Leadership

Introduction This study examines youth grades four through twelve who have

been diagnosed with pediatric cancer or whose siblings have been diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Cancer in childhood and adolescence has been shown to have lasting physical effects on the bodies of those who survive it. In a plethora of contexts, pediatric cancer is speculated to be a contributing factor to youth depression and negative self-image. It is also supposed that pediatric cancer may be a devastating factor for positive youth development. This study will evaluate the positive developmental assets the youth served by the organization Camp Happy Days possess using the 40 developmental assets acknowledged by today’s youth development professionals. Camp Happy Days has been reported by participants to have positively influenced the lives of the children with cancer and their siblings that the organization serves.

Developmental Assets

Internal: Empowerment Support Boundaries and

Expectations Constructive Use of

TimeExternal:

Commitment to Learning

Positive Values Social Competencies Positive Identity

Cancer Side Effects for Youth

Cognitive impairment Infertility Growth and

development abnormalities

Organ system damage Other malignancies

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Other psychological maladies

Social problems Behavioral Problems

Dealing with the Effects

Camp Happy DaysMission: “To improve the physical, emotional,

and psychological health of the entire family facing pediatric cancer.”

Goal: “It is our goal to create powerful, life-changing experiences that help children fighting cancer live their dreams, realize their potential, to overcome adversity and discover a renewed sense of pride and self-confidence.”

The Literature

Adolescent psychological and social challenges and concerns may manifest themselves in the life satisfaction of adults who have survived cancer during adolescence (Seitz, 2011).

As of 2006, studies showing positive effects on pre-adolescents and adolescents facing cancer showed that current youth programming had little to no positive effect on this population (Beale, 2006).

The Participants

Approximately 45 youth ages 8-18.

Served by Camp Happy Days

Exposure to CHD youth and family programming

Methodology• A numeric or quantitative description of trends within the sample

population will best be given using a survey method. Using the survey approach to research will allow the researcher to make inferences about the developmental assets, attitudes, and behaviors the Camp Happy Days study population possesses.

• The survey used in this study will be a modified instrument created by The Search Institute: Discovering What Kids Need to Succeed.

• The survey will request a variety of responses regarding the developmental assets and asset categories that the sample population possesses. The instrument will be a survey using a strongly agree to strongly disagree scale.

• Data analysis will include: analysis of variance, Chi –square tests

Implications This study will have implications

for the organization Camp Happy Days. The results of this study will allow the staff at Camp Happy Days to assess the needs of their target population, their programming, and how they can better serve the children in South Carolina facing pediatric cancer and their siblings. In addition to the benefits to Camp Happy Days, there will be further data and analysis showing the psycho-social effects of pediatric cancer on youth diagnosed and surviving cancer and their siblings.

References Alderfer, M. (2009). Family functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescent

survivors of childhood cancer. Journal of Family Psychology , 23 (5), 717-725. 

Beale, I. (2006). Scholarly literature review: efficacy of psychological interventions for pediatric chronic illnesses. Journal of Pediatric Psychology , 31 (5), 437-451.

 Diana C. M. Seitz, T. B. (2009). Psychosocial interventions for adolescent cancer pationets: a systematic review of the literature. Psycho-Oncology , 683-690.

Meister LA, M. A. (1993). Late effects of childhood cancer therapy. Curr Probl Pediatrics , 102-131.

 Pai ALH, D. D. (2006). A meta-analysis of the effects of psychological interventions in pediatric oncology on outcomes of psychological distress and adjustment. The Journal of Pediatric Psychology , 978-988.

 Poggi, et. al. (2009). Psychological intervention in young brain tumor surviros: The efficacy of the cognitive behavioural approach. Disability and Rehabilitation , 31 (13), 1066-1073.

 Seitz, e. a. (2011). Life satisfaction in adult survivors of cancer during adolescence: what contributes to the latter satisfaction with life? Quality of Life Research , 225-236.

 Von Essen L, e. a. (2000). Self-esteem, depression and anxiety among Swedish children and adolescents on and off cancer treatment. Acta Paediatr Int J Paediatr , 229-336.