Parental Reports of Psychological Adjustment and Social Competence in Child Survivors of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Parents of 34 children ages 6 to 17 who had terminated treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) completed the Child Behavior Checklisff4-18 (CBCL) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Compared to general norms for these two rating scales, the child survivors of ALL showed significantly more problems in terms of social competence and internalizing behavior. Adolescents exhibited more difficulties in these areas than younger children. Externalizing behavior composite scores were elevated on the CBCL but not on the BASC. There were no differences found between children who had received cranial irradiation and those who had not, and age at diagnosis did not affect current functioning. Children receiving special education services scored significantly lower overall than those who were in regular classes.