Open AccessDeveloping the Evidence Base in Pediatric Oncology Nursing Practice for Promoting Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Author(s) -
Mary Ann Cantrell,
Teresa M. Conte,
Melissa M. Hudson,
Kathy Ruble,
Kaye Herth,
Aziza Shad,
Alyssa Canino
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of pediatric oncology nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1532-8457
pISSN - 1043-4542
DOI - 10.1177/1043454216669678
Subject(s) - hopefulness , psychosocial , medicine , pediatric oncology , quality of life (healthcare) , nursing practice , self esteem , oncology nursing , clinical psychology , family medicine , nursing , cancer , nurse education , psychiatry
Research has shown that self-esteem and hopefulness are positively related among female childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and contribute to their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL remains a significant outcome of treatment for CCS. This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, hopefulness, and HRQOL in young adult female CCS to inform the development of evidence-based practice guidelines for pediatric oncology nursing practice. An online survey was conducted with a sample of young adult female CCS from 58 treatment centers across the United States at 4 time points: at baseline and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after initial measurement time. The relationships between self-esteem, hopefulness, and HRQOL were statistically significant (Time 1, P = .05; Times 2, 3, and 4, P = .01) across all measurement times. These findings identify hopefulness and self-esteem as determinants of HRQOL and suggest that caring practices among pediatric oncology nurses that support psychosocial adjustment through promoting self-esteem and hopefulness have the potential to support HRQOL among young adult female CCS. These outcomes support the development of evidence-based practice guidelines to influence HRQOL outcomes among these survivors.