Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Abstract #304
Profiles of Connectedness: Processes of Growth and Resilience in Children with and without Cancer
Presenter: Katianne Howard Sharp Co - Presenters: Victoria Willard, Yuko Okado, Rachel Tillery, Sarah Barnes, Alanna Long, Sean Phipps  
Abstract:
Children with cancer face numerous illness-related stressors, but demonstrate resilience via their low levels of posttraumatic stress (PTSS) and other distress symptoms, as well as perceptions of cancer-related positive growth. The present study examined whether profiles of connectedness to social and familial domains (e.g., peers, school, family, neighborhood) were related to resilience and growth, and tested whether these patterns differ for children with cancer versus healthy peers. Youth, aged 8-19 years, with cancer (n=153) and without (n=101), completed measures of connectedness, PTSS, and benefit-finding. Latent profile analysis revealed four distinct profiles: high connectedness across domains (45%); low connectedness across domains (6%); connectedness primarily to family (parents, siblings; 40%); and connectedness primarily to peers (9%). Presence or absence of cancer history did not predict profile membership; however, profiles differed on PTSS and benefit-finding. Children highly connected across domains displayed the lowest PTSS and highest benefit finding, with moderate PTSS/benefit-finding for the family and peer profiles. Findings support connectedness as a possible mechanism facilitating growth and resilience, with children diagnosed with cancer not appearing to experience diminished connectedness. As parent and peer profiles did not differentially predict PTSS/benefit-finding, children appear to experience the benefits of connectedness regardless of domain.