RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
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TitleDevelopment of a time-limited group for adolescents with a relative who has cancer
NameRuch, Jason Thomas (author), Gantwerk, Lewis (chair), Haboush, Karen L (internal member), Rutgers University, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology,
Degree Date2012-01
Date Created2012
SubjectSchool Psychology,
Cancer—Patients—Family relationships--New Jersey--Case studies,
Cancer—Social aspects--New Jersey--Case studies,
Group counseling for teenagers--New Jersey--Case studies,
Teenagers—Mental health services--New Jersey--Case studies,
Teenagers--Social networks--New Jersey--Case studies
DescriptionThis study explores the emotional and psychological needs of a group of adolescents who have a relative diagnosed with cancer. When a family endures a diagnosis of cancer, the entire family can be profoundly affected, including the healthy children in the family. Relatives of children with cancer are at an increased risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome as well as other emotional disturbances (Woodgate, 2006). For the present study, five adolescents took part in a qualitative interview process, and were self-referred through the Relay for Life, Ocean County, NJ chapter of the American Cancer Society. The goal of the study was to operationalize and better define the experience of having a loved one diagnosed with cancer and then determine the components of an effective support group. It was hypothesized that if adolescents participate in the development of a social support group, it will be more successful in retaining participants in the future. A qualitative research design was used to: 1) gain a better understanding of the overall experience of having a relative diagnosed with cancer and 2) to identify the specific needs of the adolescents who participated in the qualitative interview. The results of this study illustrate the gravity of having a loved one diagnosed with cancer, especially during adolescence. The primary themes that arose in this study included: 1) a need for more information regarding cancer and its treatment; 2) a need for emotional support; and 3) a psychosocial component to address positive and negative coping mechanisms. With the increased demands of school and social pressures on adolescents, there is a corresponding need for groups to help adolescents understand what is occurring, and learn how to cope when a family member is diagnosed with cancer. The results of this study are intended to guide future research, improve the experience of having a relative diagnosed with cancer, and provide a model for the development of future adolescent social support groups.
NotePsy. D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Jason Thomas Ruch
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001800001.ETD.000063959
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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