A controlled study of peer relationships of children surviving brain tumors: teacher, peer, and self ratings.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the behavioral reputation and peer acceptance of children diagnosed and treated for brain tumors.


METHODS
Twenty-eight children surviving brain tumors (8-18 years of age) were compared to 28 nonchronically ill, same classroom, same gender comparison peers (COMP). Peer, teacher, and self-report data were collected.


RESULTS
Relative to COMP, children who had been diagnosed with brain tumors received fewer friendship nominations from clasmates and were described by peer, teacher, and self-report as socially isolated. Although they were no longer receiving therapy for their disease, peers perceived brain tumor survivors as being sick, more fatigued, and often absent from school.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that children surviving brain tumors are at risk for social difficulties even after treatment ends, although the specific cause(s) for this vulnerability were not investigated in the current study.
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA.
K
K
Vannatta
M A
MA
Gartstein
A
A
Short
R B
RB
Noll
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012963:Sociometric Techniques; D013534:Survival; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*