The Adverse Impact of Early Childhood Cancer Diagnoses & it’s Effect on Mental Health in Adulthood
The Adverse Impact of Early Childhood Cancer Diagnoses & it’s Effect on Mental Health in Adulthood
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Issue Date
2024-11-01
Authors
Gadea Lopez, Alejandra
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Abstract
Childhood cancer survivors face unique and significant challenges as they transition into adulthood, with many experiencing long-term mental health effects that stem from their early experiences with the disease. This capstone examines the adverse impact of an early childhood cancer diagnosis on the patients and survivors' mental health and their families. Through a comprehensive literature review this capstone explores key mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also evaluates the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions, such as trauma-informed therapy, narrative therapy and family systems interventions aiming to help support survivors and their families. This capstone underscores the importance of implementing family-centered care in both research and practice. The findings suggest that while many survivors can demonstrate remarkable resilience, given the adverse effects of diagnosis, there remains a critical need for tailored mental health support that acknowledges the complex and enduring impact of childhood cancer. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge aimed at improving the quality of life for adult survivors of childhood cancer and their families by offering recommendations for future research and clinical practice.
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Keywords
childhood cancer survivors , biopsychosocial effects , mental health , narrative therapy , family-centered care