Childhood cancer patients’ baseline for social affiliation as a determining factor for the self-reported impact of person-based exclusion

Abstract

Objective

Childhood cancer patients experience a challenging reentry to social activities after diagnosis. This study aims to generate knowledge about the challenges experienced by childhood cancer patients with peers during and after treatment.

Design

This study is a qualitative mixed study.

Participants

The study included 70 children – 34 boys and 36 girls – aged 3 to 17 years who are affiliated with a pediatric oncology unit in Denmark.

Findings

Childhood cancer patients experience two types of exclusion: (1) unavoidable diagnosis-related exclusion and (2) person-based exclusion from teachers, peers, and peers’ parents. Person-based exclusion is manifested through the perceived insecurity of peers, misconceptions, and bullying. The impact and degree of these interactions partly depend on the patients’ social affiliation prior to cancer.

Implication for Psychosocial Providers

There is a need to understand the exclusion experiences of childhood cancer patients and identify particularly vulnerable children to reduce the self-reported impact of person-based exclusion.

Keywords:

• childhood cancer
• exclusion
• psychosocial
• bullying
• qualitative research

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest exist.

Notes

1 The peak is defined as the increased interest, attention and popularity that the individual patients experience.

Additional information

Funding

This study received financial support from the Danish Cancer Society and the Danish Children’s Cancer Foundation. The researchers are independent from funders of the research.