A descriptive study of the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of childhood cancer survivors in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Research indicates that increased survival rates are accompanied by an increase in associated psychosocial problems. Whereas much of the attention has focused on the physiological care of childhood cancer survivors, the consequences of cancer and its treatments on psychosocial well-being and quality of life remain relatively underexplored.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was used. A total of 137 childhood cancer survivors (9- to 16-year olds) who underwent medical follow-up in the outpatient clinic were invited to participate in the study.


RESULTS
A significant number of childhood cancer survivors had low self-esteem and experienced high levels of depression. The study also indicated that greater symptoms of depression in childhood cancer survivors were associated with higher state anxiety, lower self-esteem, and poor quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer and its treatments can have adverse effects on the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of survivors.


CONCLUSIONS
It is essential for nurses to develop and evaluate interventions with the aim of promoting psychosocial well-being and quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. Knowing the self-esteem and coping behavior of survivors can help design appropriate and effective psychosocial interventions to promote their psychosocial well-being.
School of Nursing, Lee Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. william3@hku.hk
Ho Cheung William
HC
Li
Oi Kwan Joyce
OK
Chung
Ka Yan Eva
KY
Ho
Sau Ying
SY
Chiu
Violeta
V
Lopez
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors