The gap between expectations and reality: A qualitative study of psychosocial challenges of young childhood cancer survivors from the PACCS study
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The gap between expectations and reality : A qualitative study of psychosocial challenges of young childhood cancer survivors from the PACCS study. / Larsen, Marie Hamilton; Hansson, Kjerstin Enger; Larsen, Elna Hamilton; Fridh, Martin Kaj; Petersen, Natasha Nybro; Mellblom, Anneli Victoria; Ruud, Ellen; Larsen, Hanne Baekgaard; Lie, Hanne Cathrine.
In: European Journal of Cancer Care, Vol. 31, No. 6, e13696, 2022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The gap between expectations and reality
T2 - A qualitative study of psychosocial challenges of young childhood cancer survivors from the PACCS study
AU - Larsen, Marie Hamilton
AU - Hansson, Kjerstin Enger
AU - Larsen, Elna Hamilton
AU - Fridh, Martin Kaj
AU - Petersen, Natasha Nybro
AU - Mellblom, Anneli Victoria
AU - Ruud, Ellen
AU - Larsen, Hanne Baekgaard
AU - Lie, Hanne Cathrine
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. European Journal of Cancer Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Objective: In this sub-study from the ‘PACCS’ study, we explored the psychosocial experiences of children and adolescents in everyday life post-cancer treatment and the possible factors that can moderate these experiences. Methods: This is a qualitative explorative study using semi-structured interviews with 43 childhood cancer survivors between the ages of nine and 18 from Norway and Denmark. We conducted a secondary thematic analysis using Malterud's systematic text condensation. Results: Two main themes were identified: ‘The post-treatment gap between expectations and reality’ comprised two subthemes: (1) lack of mastery and feeling different and (2) lack of understanding and acceptance. The second main theme, ‘Managing the gap’, comprised three subthemes: (1) information and knowledge, (2) adjustments and adaptions and (3) social support and openness. The findings reveal that the psychosocial challenges resulted from the remaining ability gap(s). Measures such as tailored information, school adjustments and social support were potential dynamic factors affecting the gap(s) positively or negatively. Psychosocial challenges post-treatment are experiences of lack of acceptance and understanding from others. Conclusion: To safeguard a positive transition back to everyday life, health care providers should support the survivors' psychosocial care, including getting back to school and re-entering social interactions.
AB - Objective: In this sub-study from the ‘PACCS’ study, we explored the psychosocial experiences of children and adolescents in everyday life post-cancer treatment and the possible factors that can moderate these experiences. Methods: This is a qualitative explorative study using semi-structured interviews with 43 childhood cancer survivors between the ages of nine and 18 from Norway and Denmark. We conducted a secondary thematic analysis using Malterud's systematic text condensation. Results: Two main themes were identified: ‘The post-treatment gap between expectations and reality’ comprised two subthemes: (1) lack of mastery and feeling different and (2) lack of understanding and acceptance. The second main theme, ‘Managing the gap’, comprised three subthemes: (1) information and knowledge, (2) adjustments and adaptions and (3) social support and openness. The findings reveal that the psychosocial challenges resulted from the remaining ability gap(s). Measures such as tailored information, school adjustments and social support were potential dynamic factors affecting the gap(s) positively or negatively. Psychosocial challenges post-treatment are experiences of lack of acceptance and understanding from others. Conclusion: To safeguard a positive transition back to everyday life, health care providers should support the survivors' psychosocial care, including getting back to school and re-entering social interactions.
KW - childhood cancer survivors
KW - PACCS study
KW - post-cancer
KW - psychosocial
KW - qualitative interviews
U2 - 10.1111/ecc.13696
DO - 10.1111/ecc.13696
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 36029045
AN - SCOPUS:85137540603
VL - 31
JO - European Journal of Cancer Care
JF - European Journal of Cancer Care
SN - 0961-5423
IS - 6
M1 - e13696
ER -
ID: 328444871