The predictive power of coping strategies of pediatric oncology patients on their quality of life and their attitudes toward diseases.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Pediatric oncology patients face several physical and psychological challenges that can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL) and attitudes toward their illness. Coping strategies are pivotal in managing the emotional and physical burdens of disease. This study aimed to examine the impact of coping strategies of pediatric oncology patients on their QoL and attitudes towards their illness. DESIGN/METHODS: The descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 112 pediatric oncology patients aged 10-18 years. The Sociodemographic Form, Pediatric Cancer Coping Scale (PCCS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and Child Attitude Towards Illness Scale (CATIS) were used for data collection. RESULTS: Significant correlations were identified between cognitive coping, defensive coping, and CATIS (p < .001). The PCCS and subdimensions significantly predicted CATIS (p < .001), accounting for 15.3% of the cognitive and defensive coping variation. However, there was no relationship between PCCS total and subdimension scores on PedsQL (p = .534). The PedsQL and subdimensions significantly predicted CATIS (p < .001) and accounted for 27.2% of the variation in physical health summary score, emotional functioning, psychosocial health summary score, and total PedsQL score. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that cognitive coping strategies positively predict attitudes toward illness, whereas defensive coping strategies have an inverse effect. The study proposes that comprehensive care models in pediatric oncology support effective coping mechanisms and enhance the QoL of those who receive them.

The Effect of Psychosocial Support Videos Provided by the Community on Disease Attitudes and Symptoms of Pediatric Oncology Patients: Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of psychosocial support videos provided by the community on the attitudes of pediatric oncology patients aged between 10 and 18 years toward their illness and treatment-related symptoms. DATA SOURCES: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted with 52 pediatric oncology patients aged between 10 and 18. The data were collected using the Information Form, Child Attitude Towards Illness Scale (CATIS), and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). When the control group received standard care, the intervention group received psychosocial support videos provided by the community at the beginning of the week for 1 month. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the implemented intervention positively affected pediatric patients' symptom management, psychological well-being, and attitudes toward their illness. Considering that today's adolescents have grown up in the age of technology and show great interest in technology and media use, it is clear that psychosocial support videos may attract the attention of this age group. Producing and sharing similar content for other children with similar health problems may positively affect the psychosocial health outcomes of pediatric patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: It has been found that it is beneficial to include community-supported psychosocial support in the nursing care of pediatric oncology patients. For this reason, it is recommended that nurses actively participate in developing psychosocial support strategies and take the lead in creating and making the content accessible.