Career readiness, developmental work personality and age of onset in young adult central nervous system survivors.
OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this paper is to undertake foundational research in the area of career readiness, work personality and age of onset with young adult central nervous system (CNS) survivors.


METHODS
Participants for this study consisted of 43 individuals whose age range from 18 to 30 (M = 21.64, SD = 3.46), an average age of brain tumor onset of 9.50 years (SD = 4.73) and average years off of treatment of 7.25 years (SD = 5.80). Packets were distributed to survivors who were participating in a psychosocial cancer treatment program. Participants completed multiple career instruments and a demographic form. Differences between groups and among the variables were examined and size effect sizes were analyzed.


RESULTS
Young adult CNS survivors had significantly lower levels of work personality and career readiness when compared to young adult non-cancer survivors with CNS cancer with those between the ages of 6 and 12 reported significantly lower levels when compared to individuals diagnosed before age 6 and after the age of 13.


CONCLUSIONS
Young adult CNS survivors at an increased risk for having lower levels of work personality and career readiness then a norm group comparison. Age of onset (between 6 and 12) may be at significant risk factor for developing poor or dysfunctional work and career behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
• Young adults with central nervous system (CNS) cancer are at particular risk for experiencing difficulties related to career and employment. • Work personality and career readiness are two constructs that have been found to be related to one's ability to meet the demands of work. • Young adult CNS cancer survivors have lower levels of work personality and career readiness. • Individuals diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 12 may be at particular risk and may need specific vocational rehabilitation interventions. • The results of this study point to the need for comprehensive career and vocational services for young adult CNS cancer survivors.
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. strauser@illinois.edu
David
D
Strauser
Stacia
S
Wagner
Alex W K
AW
Wong
Deidre
D
O'Sullivan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult