Exploring illness identity among children and youth living with cancer: A narrative review.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children and youth with cancer may find it challenging to integrate illness into their pre-existing identity-a phenomenon known as illness identity. In this critical narrative review, we explored illness identity among children and youth with cancer. METHODS: Three academic databases were searched. Twenty-two articles were included in this review and each underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS: Cancer has both positive and negative influences on the identities of children and youth. Illness identity is expressed creatively through various communicative outlets. Further, external processes such as social support may influence cancer identity. A few studies cited cancer as a hindrance to adult identity development. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer has a profound impact on identity formation among children and youth. Many normative assumptions about time, identity, and child and youth development underlie the existing literature. Future researchers may adopt a critical lens to be inclusive of diverse identity experiences among children and youth with cancer.