Abstract
Emotional stress and behavioral effects in the pediatrics cancer patient are well known, but the impact on their healthy siblings is not well defined. This pilot study used standardized tests for adolescents (aged 13-20)-Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Achenbach Behavioral Checklist (ABC), and Achenbach Self Report (ASR). A new comprehensive questionnaire (interview) was developed and its use with adolescent siblings explores their understanding, behavior, misconceptions, and past and present feelings about having a brother or sister with cancer. Adolescent siblings were identified from three groups of pediatric cancer patients: 1) with controlled cancer on active therapy; 2) with probable cured cancer off all therapy; and 3) with death more than 12 months prior to testing. Preliminary data show that the MMPI, ABC, and ASR are useful as a general indicator of emotional difficulty and maladaptive behavior. The new questionnaire brings out specific fears and concerns which may be troubling the sibling. Further use of this questionnaire (interview) is necessary to ascertain its value for younger siblings. From the three cancer patient groups their adolescent siblings are compared in regard to their coping, especially fears, concerns, and emotional adjustment.
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Lund, P., Burgert, E., Colligan, R. et al. EMOTIONAL STRESS AND STRESS RELATED BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENT SIBLINGS OF PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTSPILOT. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 244 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00907
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00907