Abstract
The literature on child survivors of leukemia reflects concern focusing mainly on treatment effects on cognitive functioning. Little exists documenting issues in the realm of mental health for children in long-term remission. There have been no attempts to examine disease experiences which might influence behavioral outcomes of illness. This case control study of 53 survivors and their healthy match controlled for the age at diagnosis and time of diagnosis documented a significantly higher level of trait anxiety and number of behavioral problems and a significantly lower level of self esteem and academic achievement for case children than for control children. Regression analysis of variables which were significantly correlated with the outcome measures demonstrated a significant relationship of radiation therapy and the number of vena-punctures with trait anxiety; the number of additional family problems recalled at time of diagnosis and the number of hospital admissions with behavior problems; and radiation therapy and the number of hospital days with the level of self esteem.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wulff, L. A STUDY OF CHILD SURVIVORS OF LEUKEMIA: ANXIETY, BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, SELF ESTEEM, AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 117 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00143
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00143
