Self-Concept in Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer

Abstract

This article describes a comparison of the self-concept of 62 children ages 6-18 years who had completed treatment for childhood cancer and 120 healthy children. The children's global as well as specific self-concepts were analyzed. Global self-concept was found to be similar and within normal limits in both groups. However, overall, the cancer survivors reported more positive feelings about global self-concept than did the comparison group, and they received higher scores on five of six self-concept subscales. Furthermore, children in the survivor group reported feeling significantly better than the comparison group did about the self-concept aspects of their intellectual and school status, behavior, and overall happiness and satisfaction. The cancer self-concept profile that emerged from this study contributes to the recent literature on the normalcy and healthy psychological status of children who have a chronic illness. The profile also illuminates problems that are specific to the cancer experience a...