title: The social functioning of siblings of children with cancer: a multi-informant investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined social functioning among siblings of children with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control design was applied to school- and home-based data from multiple informants (peers, teachers, mothers, and self). Social reputation and peer acceptance within the classroom was compared for 87 siblings (aged 8-16 years) and 256 demographically matched peers. Self-perceptions of peer relationships and parent-reported social competence were examined among 67 siblings and 67 matched comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peer reports (N = 1,633) indicated no differences between siblings and comparisons for social reputation, number of friendships, reciprocated friendships, or peer acceptance. Self-reported prosocial behavior and teacher-reported likability were higher for siblings than comparisons. Self-reported loneliness, friendship quality, and perceived social support did not differ between groups. Mothers reported less involvement in activities and poorer school performance for siblings than comparisons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer relationships of siblings of children with cancer are similar to classmates, though they experience small decrements in activity participation and school performance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University melissa.alderfer@nemours.org.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alderfer
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
authors.forename: Rowena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fairclough
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kazak
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, and Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science & Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Noll
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009369:Neoplasms; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support
keywords: childhood cancer; peer relationships; siblings; social functioning