Impact of Sociodemographic Factors, Stress, and Communication on Quality
of Life in Survivors of Pediatric Cancer
Abstract
Background: While most research has largely focused on medical
risks associated with reduced quality of life (QOL) in survivors,
sociodemographic and family factors may also play a role. Thus, we
examined sociodemographic factors and family factors associated with
survivor QOL, including adolescent’s cancer-specific stress, mother’s
general stress, and mother–adolescent communication. Methods:
Mothers ( N=80) and survivors (ages 10-23, N=50) were
assessed 5 years following initial diagnosis. Mothers completed measures
regarding sociodemographic background adolescent’s cancer-specific
stress, mother’s general stress, mother–adolescent communication, and
adolescent QOL. Survivors also reported on their own QOL. Two
hierarchical multiple regressions examined predictors of: (a) mother’s
report of adolescent QOL and (b) survivor’s self-report of QOL.
Results: The final model predicting mother-reported adolescent
QOL was significant, F(5,74)=21.18, p<.001, and
explained 59% of the variance in QOL. Significant predictors included
adolescent stress ( β=-0.37, p<.001), mothers’
stress ( β=-0.42, p<.001), and communication (
β=0.19, p=.03). The final model predicting
survivor-reported QOL was also significant, F(5,44)=5.16,
p<.01 and explained 24% of the variance in QOL.
Significant predictors included adolescent stress ( β=-.37,
p=.01) and communication ( β=-.31, p=.04).
Sociodemographic factors were not a significant predictor of QOL in any
model. Conclusion: Family stress and communication offer
potential points of intervention to improve QOL of pediatric cancer
survivors from mother and survivor perspectives. While additional
research is needed, healthcare professionals should encourage stress
management and strong mother–child communication to enhance survivors’
long-term QOL. Such interventions may be helpful, irrespective of known
sociodemographic factors that often affect health.