Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-135). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1988. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [120]-126.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xvii, 274 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: J. Schwartzbaum, School of Public Health. Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-203).

This study was designed to investigate the sibling's view of living in a family where another child was being treated for cancer. Specifically, the purpose of the study was to conceptualize the sibling's perception of day to day living when another child in the family is being treated for cancer. Eight children belonging to two families participated in the study. Two conversation sessions were held with each child, either individually or in a group, during which the interviewer elicicted descriptions of daily life. Using the constant comparative process associated with grounded theory, concepts identified as emerging from the data were the special status of the ill child, and a new normality. The process of redefining normality was identified as the central variable which accounted for the majority of the variation in behavior. This redefinition of normality appeared to make it possible for siblings to process problems in such a way as to make life viable (Glaser 1978, p. 57). The results of this study support other research which indicates that the child's view of the world is different than the adult's. Relating the findings of this study to the literature has resulted in specific suggestions for nursing research for elucidating the sibling's view. The implications for nursing practice are discussed within the framework of Orem's general theory of nursing. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-87).

This study was a retrospective examination of the experiences of pediatric cancer patients and their families from a contextual perspective. The home, institution, and community contexts were investigated to reveal their influences on the coping efforts of the study participants. Ten families of children with cancer were interviewed, and data were analyzed qualitatively. Walker's (1985) family stress model and Lazarus' (1984) coping paradigm guided the study. The findings indicated that children were ambivalent in their attitudes toward the disease process. While they did not enjoy painful procedures, sickness, frequent hospitalizations, and baldness, they did welcome the special attention brought about by these stressors. Many of the children in the study understood the impact of their illness on the family. They felt guilty about family financial pressures, parental marital problems, and sibling conflicts that resulted from their cancer. Most feared relapse and death but hid their feelings to protect their parents. Mothers handled the stress of their child's illness by learning all they could about the disease, focusing completely on the sick child, and protecting the child from further harm. Fathers tended to take on the role of "strong one" while worrying about finances and attempting to keep the families together. Differing ways of coping between mothers and fathers often caused feelings of resentment and marital difficulties. Parental attitudes toward the staff at the medical center varied from trust, to wariness, to dependency. Parents enjoyed the support of family, friends, and community during the diagnosis phase, but felt bitter about the lack of support they received during the treatment and completion stages. Some parents believed that their exposure to the stressors of the illness process led to personal growth that they would not have experienced otherwise. Many parents emerged from the cancer ordeal with a desire to help others who were battling childhood cancer. They became involved in a variety of community agencies that served the families of children with cancer. / Ph. D.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Two studies were conducted. A longitudinal study (12 months) was designed to describe the physiological and psychological recovery patterns in a group of pediatric patients who were recently treated for a malignancy. An intervention program (12 week rehabilitation exercise program), was used to separate the effects of deconditioning from the disease and/or its treatment in children who had been out of treatment for a malignancy for at least one year. In the twelve month study, 10 pediatric patients recently out of treatment and 10 healthy controls were tested at 0, 6, 12 weeks and 6 and 12 months. In the twelve week study, 18 patients and 52 healthy controls were assigned to an exercise or no exercise group and were tested at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. At each test session, all subjects were tested for measures of height, weight, sum of skin folds, blood pressure, and pulmonary function. Each subject completed a 30s Wingate test on a cycle ergometer, for measures of anaerobic capacity, and a maximal oxygen consumption test (15 or 20 W/min, ramp protocol) to volitional fatigue for measures of aerobic fitness. A measurement of self-esteem and self-confidence were tested using the Harter scale Self-Perception Profile for Children and Adolescents. All subjects were also evaluated at 0 and 12 weeks (again at 6 and 12 months in the 12 month study) using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography to note cardiovascular changes during semi-supine exercise. Results of both studies show no significant differences between the patients and the healthy controls in any of the physiology, psychology, or cardiology measures. The patients did demonstrate a similar response to exercise in many measures but their values were reduced in magnitude. The patients consistently performed below both the healthy controls in all physiological and cardiology measures but these trends were not statistically significant. It would appear that the majority of children and adolescent patients who were followed in this study are functioning remarkably well both physically and psychologically compared to their healthy controls.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [145]-153).

Two studies were conducted. A longitudinal study (12 months) was designed to describe the physiological and psychological recovery patterns in a group of pediatric patients who were recently treated for a malignancy. An intervention program (12 week rehabilitation exercise program), was used to separate the effects of deconditioning from the disease and/or its treatment in children who had been out of treatment for a malignancy for at least one year. In the twelve month study, 10 pediatric patients recently out of treatment and 10 healthy controls were tested at 0, 6, 12 weeks and 6 and 12 months. In the twelve week study, 18 patients and 52 healthy controls were assigned to an exercise or no exercise group and were tested at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. At each test session, all subjects were tested for measures of height, weight, sum of skin folds, blood pressure, and pulmonary function. Each subject completed a 30s Wingate test on a cycle ergometer, for measures of anaerobic capacity, and a maximal oxygen consumption test (15 or 20 W/min, ramp protocol) to volitional fatigue for measures of aerobic fitness. A measurement of self-esteem and self-confidence were tested using the Harter scale Self-Perception Profile for Children and Adolescents. All subjects were also evaluated at 0 and 12 weeks (again at 6 and 12 months in the 12 month study) using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography to note cardiovascular changes during semi-supine exercise. Results of both studies show no significant differences between the patients and the healthy controls in any of the physiology, psychology, or cardiology measures. The patients did demonstrate a similar response to exercise in many measures but their values were reduced in magnitude. The patients consistently performed below both the healthy controls in all physiological and cardiology measures but these trends were not statistically significant. It would appear that the majority of children and adolescent patients who were followed in this study are functioning remarkably well both physically and psychologically compared to their healthy controls. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate