Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Thriving Beyond Surviving: An Examination Of The Role Support Groups Play In Enhancing Later Cognitive And Social Development Of Pediatric Cancer Patients, Mary Maccarthy

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Adult survivors of pediatric cancer are at risk of developing “late effects” which are deficiencies in physical, cognitive, and/or social functioning that are usually due to long-term cancer treatment and hospitalization at a young age. These late effects can significantly impact survivors’ well-being and prevent them from leading successful, independent lives. The aim of our research was to investigate whether participation in cancer-related support groups could lessen the impact of late effects. Specifically, we examined whether the degree of engagement with cancer-related support groups was related to the level of cognitive and social functioning in adult pediatric cancer survivors. Through …