Jewm. Vandongenmelman et al., SIBLINGS OF CHILDHOOD-CANCER SURVIVORS - HOW DOES THIS FORGOTTEN GROUP OF CHILDREN ADJUST AFTER CESSATION OF SUCCESSFUL CANCER-TREATMENT, European journal of cancer, 31A(13-14), 1995, pp. 2277-2283
Siblings of childhood cancer patients are labelled the ''forgotten chi
ldren'' because they experience significant psychosocial distress and
are isolated from support systems inside and outside the family. This
study investigates the late consequences of the cancer experience for
siblings. 60 siblings of cancer survivors were compared with control s
ubjects on measures of psychosocial adjustment. No differences were fo
und between siblings of cancer survivors and controls on emotional and
behavioural problems and competence, suggesting that siblings adjust
well to the period after cessation of treatment. The effect of demogra
phic, family and disease-related characteristics on the siblings' psyc
hosocial adjustment was limited, Whereas during treatment many psychos
ocial problems for siblings have been reported, this does not result i
n a heightened risk of psychological disturbance for siblings as a lat
e effect. The implications for patient care are discussed.