Posttraumatic stress and related impairment in survivors of childhood cancer in early adulthood compared to healthy peers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related impairment between childhood cancer survivors in early adulthood and healthy peers.


METHODS
Cancer survivors (n = 57) and comparison group (n = 83) completed measures of PTSD, depression, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), mood, and satisfaction with life (SWL).


RESULTS
The cancer survivor group was more likely to have PTSD than the control group (odds ratio = 4.67, p < .05) but was not more likely to experience subclinical PTSD symptoms. The groups differed on physical HRQOL, F(1, 140) = 15.02, p < .001, and positive affect, F(1, 140) = 7.03, p < .01, but did not differ on depression, SWL, psychosocial HRQOL, and negative mood. Those in the survivor group with PTSD (n = 10) experienced more depression and negative affect, worse HRQOL and SWL, perceived their cancer to impact developmental tasks more, and were older at the time of diagnosis compared with those without PTSD (n = 47).


CONCLUSIONS
Although most are well adjusted, childhood cancer survivors in early adulthood are more likely to have PTSD and to experience significant impairment compared with healthy peers.
Schwartz
Lisa
L
Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7123, USA. lisa.schwartz@case.edu
Drotar
Dennis
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D010379:Peer Group; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*