Examining the psychological consequences of surviving childhood cancer: Systematic review as a research method in pediatric psychology

Objective: To report the results of a systematic review to determine the ps ychological consequences of surviving childhood cancer. Methods: Searches were conducted using Psyclit, Medline, Cinahl, and Bids a nd articles selected on the basis of predefined criteria. Key information w as extracted to data sheets and these were rated by two coders. Results: Twenty studies were identified, seventeen from the United States. Survivors did not show deficits in measures of anxiety, depression, or self -esteem when compared with population norms or matched controls. Survivors of some cancers (bone tumors) have poorer outcomes. Conclusions: The results of this review support findings of previous descri ptive reviews, Methodological problems include poorly reported medical info rmation (for example, time since diagnosis), heterogeneous samples, self-se lection of participants, poorly chosen/lack of suitable measures, and a lac k of longitudinal work. Findings are discussed in terms of the need for cro ss-cultural work on adjustment to childhood cancer, the need for studies to take on a more developmental approach, and for greater national and intern ational collaboration.