Dataset Information

Friendships in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors and Non-Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Brain tumors during childhood may disrupt the development and maintenance of friendships due to the impact of disease- and treatment-related factors on functioning. The goal of this study was to determine if children treated for either a brain tumor or a non-central nervous system (CNS) solid tumor could name a friend and to evaluate the social information processes associated with the ability to name a friend.

Method

Youth (ages 7-14) treated for either a brain tumor (n?=?47; mean age = 10.51?years) or a non-CNS solid tumor (n?=?34; mean age = 11.29) completed an assessment within 6?months of the conclusion of treatment that included asking participants to name a friend and completing measures of social information processing (SIP). Rates of self-reported friendship were compared between groups and correlates of being able to name a friend were evaluated.

Results

Youth treated for a brain tumor (61.7%) were significantly less likely to name a friend compared with youth treated for a non-CNS solid tumor (85.3%). Diagnosis type (brain vs. non-CNS), relapse status, attribution style, and facial affect recognition were significant predictors of being able to name a friend or not in a logistic regression model.

Conclusions

Youth treated for a brain tumor and those who experienced a disease relapse are at risk for impairments in friendships; difficulties with SIP may increase this risk. Targeted screening and intervention efforts for children diagnosed with brain tumors and those who have relapsed could address difficulties with peers.

SUBMITTER: Hocking MC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7029689 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Friendships in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors and Non-Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors.

Hocking Matthew C MC Noll Robert B RB Kazak Anne E AE Brodsky Cole C Phillips Peter P Barakat Lamia P LP

Journal of pediatric psychology 20200301 2

<h4>Objective</h4>Brain tumors during childhood may disrupt the development and maintenance of friendships due to the impact of disease- and treatment-related factors on functioning. The goal of this study was to determine if children treated for either a brain tumor or a non-central nervous system (CNS) solid tumor could name a friend and to evaluate the social information processes associated with the ability to name a friend.<h4>Method</h4>Youth (ages 7-14) treated for either a brain tumor (n ...[more]

PMID: 31925436

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of social difficulties in adolescent survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. METHODS:Six hundred sixty-five survivors of CNS tumors (53.8% male and 51.7% treated with cranial radiation therapy [CRT]), who had a current median age of 15.0 years (range, 2.0-17.0 years) and were a median of 12.1 years (range, 8.0-17.7 years) from their diagnosis, were compared with 1376 survivors of solid tumors (50.4% male), who had a median age of 15.0 years (range, 12.0-17.0 years) and were a median of 13.2 years (range, 8.3-17.9 years) from their diagnosis, and 726 siblings (52.2% male), who had a median age of 15.0 years (range, 12.0-17.0 years). Social adjustment was measured with parent-proxy responses to the Behavior Problems Index. Latent profile analysis defined social classes. Multinomial logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, and age at diagnosis, identified predictors of class membership. Path analyses tested mediating effects of physical limitations, sensory loss, and cognitive impairment on social outcomes. RESULTS:Caregivers reported that survivors of CNS tumors were more likely to have 0 friends (15.3%) and to interact with friends less than once per week (41.0%) in comparison with survivors of solid tumors (2.9% and 13.6%, respectively) and siblings (2.3% and 8.7%, respectively). Latent profile analysis identified 3 social classes for survivors of CNS tumors: well-adjusted (53.4%), social deficits (16.2%), and poor peer relationships (30.4%). However, 2 classes were identified for survivors of solid tumors and siblings: well-adjusted (86.2% and 91.1%, respectively) and social deficits (13.8% and 8.9%, respectively). CRT predicted class membership for CNS survivors (odds ratio [OR] for poor peer relationships, 1.16/10 Gy; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.25; OR for social deficits 1.14/10 Gy; 95% CI, 1.04-1.25; reference, well-adjusted). Cognitive impairment mediated the association between all social outcomes and CRT (P values < .001). CONCLUSION:Almost 50% of survivors of CNS tumors experience social difficulties; the pattern is unique in comparison with solid tumor and sibling groups. Cognitive impairment is associated with increased risk, and this highlights the need for multitargeted interventions.

Dataset Information

Friendships in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors and Non-Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors.

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Friendships in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors and Non-Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors.

Similar Datasets

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