The perception of Cancer diagnosis in school-aged children

• Grant number: 12/19984-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Regina Brandalise
• Grantee: Ana Laura Martins Mendes Mercadante Becker
• Host Institution: Centro Infantil de Investigações Hematológicas Dr Domingos A Boldrini (CIB). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Suffering from cancer certainly affects the way pediatric patients perceive themselves, their point of view of themselves, and their relationship with other people. Noticeable, also, are the development of psychological and behavioral problems. In this context, the identification of those who will require an adjuvant service, such as psychological support, for instance, is essential to provide cancer-diagnosed children with complete treatment. In this sense, the purpose of this study is to understand the children's perception of their cancer diagnosis, evaluating the cognitive, emotional, and social variables. Such knowledge is expected to improve the medical and psychological care offered to cancer-diagnosed children. To achieve such a goal, the author will conduct a longitudinal analytical descriptive study of 30 cancer-diagnosed school-aged children (age varying among 6 to 10 years), all of them currently patients of the Centro Infantil Boldrini. Referred group, which will be previously selected by Boldrini´s psychological staff, will be studied during the Chemotherapy treatment, being encouraged to make free drawings. At a later stage, the author will conduct interviews with those cancer-diagnosed children, focusing on the analysis of the meaning of their drawings. Moreover, the set of drawings will be gathered together with the transcripts of the interviews, being this material further analyzed by the author and assisted by certain other ancillary professionals. Such material will be subject to analysis with the ultimate goal of better assessing and understanding the building of feelings and the perception of the children with respects to their illness.(AU)