Aggression, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse in survivors of pediatric cancer: possible protective effects of cancer and its treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To examine aggression, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse in young adult survivors of pediatric cancer (PCS) relative to case control peers (CC).


METHODS
We obtained self-reports of current aggression, antisocial behavior, and lifetime substance use from 26 PCS (time off-treatment, M: = 56 months) and 26 CC using the Antisocial Behavior Checklist and the Drinking and Drug History. A report of current aggression and antisocial behavior also was obtained from primary caregivers using the Child Behavior Checklist.


RESULTS
PCS self-reported significantly less illegal drug use and experimentation than CC. No significant differences emerged between groups for use of alcohol and tobacco nor for aggression and antisocial behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
PCS are functioning as well as, or better than, CC in terms of aggression, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse. However, given the compromised health status of survivors, efforts should focus on further reduction of drug-related risk behaviors that may amplify organ damage or increase risk for further malignancies in this population.
Verrill
J R
JR
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Schafer
J
J
Vannatta
K
K
Noll
R B
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012307:Risk Factors; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*