The improvement in cancer remission rates in children and adolescents due to advances in cancer treatment and therapy has led to the development of guidelines that address long-term follow up for survivors of childhood cancers. Adolescents often experience negative emotions related to the fear of uncertainty about long-term survival after cancer remission, yet often report feelings of hope and optimism for the future more than adult cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of self-efficacy and coping in adolescents after remission of cancer. A secondary purpose was to analyze which coping strategies supported long-term survival goals after cancer remission in adolescent populations. A systematic literature review was conducted from the following online databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medical Literature On-line (MEDLINE), Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and PsycInfo. Selected articles included those published between 2000-2016 that were written in English and were peer-reviewed. The results of the study revealed that most adolescents with cancer remission do not experience long term psychosocial issues related to their cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, a large percentage of adolescent cancer survivors report intermittent depression, suicidal ideation and a lower quality of life due to survival after remission. The literature indicates that multiple, integrative forms of behavioral therapy: cognitive, psychosocial, and family based treatment models, help to enhance long term quality of life in adolescent cancer survivors. Strategies that use positive coping methods and improve self-efficacy related to long term survival after remission have demonstrated improvement in psychosocial behaviors in adolescents and promote a better outlook on planning for the future. Future research that analyzes the most effective coping skills to practice after cancer remission and that optimize self-efficacy related to long term survival can positively influence quality of life for adolescent cancer survivors.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:honorstheses-1052 |
| Date | 01 January 2016 |
| Creators | McDonnell, Leah M |
| Publisher | STARS |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Honors Undergraduate Theses |
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