Psychology ETDs

Sarah Hile

Publication Date

2-1-2012

Abstract

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for long-term neurocognitive and psychosocial morbidities. Research, however, has only recently examined the overall salience of these late effects and how they translate into functional impairment. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the frequency/severity of functional impairment as well as identify significant neurocognitive and psychosocial determinants of functional impairment. English-speaking child-parent dyads were enrolled in the study. Children were between the ages of four and nineteen years and were at least 2 years post diagnosis with leukemia/lymphoma. Participants were recruited through a pediatric oncology late effects clinic where parents completed psychosocial and functional impairment questionnaires while a brief neuropsychological exam was administered to children. Results found that 26% of participants were identified as demonstrating significant functional impairment. However, the one significant predictor of functional impairment was parental stress. While children demonstrated both neurocognitive deficits and functional impairments, neurocognitive deficits did not predict these functional difficulties. Results instead favored psychosocial factors, such as parental stress, as a predictor of overall functional impairment.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Goldsmith, Tim

Second Committee Member

Annett, Rob

Language

English

Keywords

Cognition disorders in children, Leukemia--Psychological aspects, Parent and child ǂx Psychological aspects, Leukemia--Chemotherapy--Complications, Leukemia--Chemotherapy--Complications.

Document Type

Thesis

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