Aggression, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse in survivors of pediatric cancer: Possible protective effects of cancer and its treatment

Objective: To examine aggression, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse in young adult survivors of pediatric cancer (PCS) relative to case control peers (CC). Methods: We obtained self-reports of current aggression, antisocial behavio r, and lifetime substance use from 26 PCS (time off-treatment, M = 56 month s) and 26 CC using the Antisocial Behavior Checklist and the Drinking and D rug History. A report of current aggression and antisocial behavior also wa s obtained from primary caregivers using the Child Behavior Checklist. Results: PCS self-reported significantly less illegal drug use and experime ntation than CC. No significant differences emerged between groups for use of alcohol and tobacco nor for aggression and antisocial behavior. Conclusions: PCS are functioning as well as, or better than, CC in terms of aggression, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse. However, given the c ompromised health status of survivors, efforts should focus on further redu ction of drug-related risk behaviors that may amplify organ damage or incre ase risk for further malignancies in this population.