Familial and extra-familial influences on adolescent adaptation to the cancer experience

Thomas D Ritter, Purdue University

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death of children between the ages of one and fourteen. Adolescence is a particularly challenging time to have cancer because of the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. A review of the literature indicated that adolescents are especially at risk of being noncompliant with the cancer treatment and therefore placing their health in jeopardy. This study examined the familial and extra-familial influences that may influence an adolescent's cooperation with the treatment process. The familial influences were identified in the literature as the adolescent's parents and siblings. The extra-familial influences were identified as the adolescent's peers and their health care workers. The results of this study suggest that there is both a direct and indirect effect of the amount of support perceived as given to the adolescent from siblings and peers on the adolescent's cooperation with the treatment. There is no effect of perception of support given from parents on cooperation. Health care workers reported high levels of social support given while adolescents reported low levels received from health care workers. The findings indicated that for cooperation to be influenced by the support that health care workers give, the adolescents have to first feel that they receive that support.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Lewis, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Developmental psychology|Health education|Nursing

COinS