Quality of life among adolescents with cancer.
The purpose of this study is to enable adolescents with cancer to self-evaluate their quality of life (QoL). Data were collected using a newly developed Likertscaled QoL instrument. In addition, each participant could comment on how the variable impacted his or her QoL. Demographic data were self-disclosed to describe the sample population of 75 adolescents (41 males and 34 females). Overall QoL scores ranged from 27 to 48 (mean = 41.27, SD = 4.31) of a possible 48. Quality of life scores were lowest among those who were female and presently receiving therapy. Overall reliability for the instrument is acceptable ( r = .77). These data reveal that adolescents are aware that their QoL is affected by cancer and its treatment. This instrument demonstrates scores that are statistically different (P = .000) between those presently receiving treatment compared with those not receiving treatment. Although not statistically significant, mean scores for females were lower than for males (P = .030), regardless of other variables. Further administration and psychometric testing of the instrument is planned.
Ward-Smith
Peggy
P
University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Nursing, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA. wardsmithp@umkc.edu
Hamlin
Julie
J
Bartholomew
Joy
J
Stegenga
Kristen
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*