1Severance Hospice. childnurse@freechal.com 2Child Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Yonsei University.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the self-image of adolescents with cancer.
METHOD: This study was a descriptive study. The participants in the study were 75 adolescents recruited from four medical centers in Seoul and all were receiving cancer therapy.
Korean Offer Self-Image Questionnaire was used and data were analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULT & CONCLUSIONS: The self-image of adolescents with cancer exists within the average range, but all groups of adolescents with cancer had a more positive self-image than Korean reference groups. The reason why adolescents with cancer showed a relatively positive self-image despite their painful experiences, is because they developed new value systems and view point through their experiences and learning to cope with their situation. This research revealed that relapse affects the self-image of adolescents and therefore it is important to note that adolescents with relapses need more intensive interventions to maintain their positive self-image. In order to help with their coping process, further research on the factors that affect self-image in adolescents with cancer is also needed.
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