Abstract
PurposeYoung individuals face a variety of developmental tasks as they mature into adulthood. For survivors of childhood cancer, growing up may be more difficult due to their illness and late effects from treatment. This study is the first to quantitatively examine perceptions of maturity and how these perceptions contribute to satisfaction with life among young adult survivors of childhood cancer.MethodsNinety survivors of childhood cancer (Mage = 29.8; 7–37 years post-diagnosis) were recruited to complete online surveys on how mature they felt relative to peers, their perceived maturity on three domains (financial, personal, social), and life satisfaction.ResultsMost survivors (62%; n = 56) felt they grew up faster than their peers, and over half (56%; n = 50) felt more mature. Perceived maturity was high on all three domains, but brain tumor survivors reported significantly lower maturity than other survivors (d = 0.76–1.11). All maturity domains were positively associated with life satisfaction (r = .49–.56). Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that 44% of the variance in life satisfaction was explained by perceptions of growing up slower (β = − 1.08, p = .004) and marginally by greater perceived personal maturity (β = 0.45, p = .061).ConclusionsChildhood cancer can influence development, with most survivors feeling that they grew up faster and were more mature than peers. Personal maturity was related to life satisfaction, with survivors of brain tumors or those who felt they grew up slower at greatest risk for lower life satisfaction. Future research and clinical practice should consider survivors’ development and maturation across the life span to promote overall well-being.
Highlights
Survival rates for childhood cancer exceed 80% [1, 2]
Of all 10 items included in the Maturity Questionnaire, the highest mean scores were reported for school/job competency and managing one’s health, whereas lowest scores were reported for emotional stability and financial independence (Table 2)
Testing whether demographic and medical factors were related to maturity showed that partnered survivors perceived themselves as more mature than single survivors (M = 4.3 vs. 3.7), t(88) = − 3.13, p = 0.002; d = 0.72, for social maturity (M = 4.4 vs. 3.3), t(88) = − 4.66, p < .001, d = 1.18 (Table 1)
Summary
Most survivors will grow up and transition into new life phases, such as emerging and young adulthood [2]. These phases are marked by significant change and growth that largely define them as the adults that they will become. Key developmental tasks during this time focus on future ambitions and goals, like choosing a career, living independently, or starting a family [3, 4] Achievement of these socially valued milestones often builds on one another and is, an important step toward maturity and adulthood.
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