Factors Associated With Post-Traumatic Growth in Korean Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Objectives: To analyze the effects of hope and self-efficacy on post-traumatic growth in survivors of childhood cancer in Korea and to identify factors affecting post-traumatic growth.

Sample & Setting: Data of 117 survivors of childhood cancer aged 11 years or older either in treatment or follow-up recruited by convenience sampling at an advanced general hospital in Korea were analyzed.

Methods & Variables: Using a self-reported structured questionnaire, data on hope, self-efficacy, and post-traumatic growth were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation. Differences in post-traumatic growth according to general and disease-related characteristics (obtained from the survivors and their parents) were analyzed using t tests and analysis of variance. Factors affecting post-traumatic growth were investigated using multiple regression analysis.

Results: Post-traumatic growth showed significant positive correlations with hope and self-efficacy. Factors that significantly affected post-traumatic growth were presence of siblings, high economic status, and hope.

Implications for Nursing: To improve post-traumatic growth in survivors of childhood cancer, interventions should be developed to enhance hope. In addition, more efforts are necessary in terms of interventions to improve post-traumatic growth in survivors of childhood cancer without siblings or with low economic status.