title: Thematic evidence of psychosocial thriving in childhood cancer survivors.
abstract: Advances in medical treatment for childhood cancer have resulted in dramatically increased survival rates and a growing population of long-term survivors. Until recently, researchers reported primarily negative psychosocial sequelae of childhood cancer. Emergent conceptual frameworks propose that the assumption of pathology or long-term deficits in functioning might obscure an understanding of the full range of outcomes. Using qualitative interview data (N = 50), the authors explore how cancer can lead to positive psychosocial outcomes, including thriving. The findings suggest that processes of coping, meaning making, and psychospiritual growth are intimately related to long-term psychosocial well-being. The results suggest that in the aftermath of a trauma such as childhood cancer, many outcomes are possible, including thriving.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chesler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms; D011584:Psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States