Cited by 52Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifeCancer survivorship and careFamily Support in Illness

Social support and childhood cancer survivors: A systematic review (2006–2022)

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Deegan, Avril, Brennan, Ciara, Gallagher, Pamela, Lambert, Veronica, Dunne, Simon·2023·Psycho-Oncology

Abstract

Objective: Research has indicated that social support may play a protective role in the face of stress and help children and adolescents cope with the demands and challenges they face on a daily basis during their cancer journey. However, social support tends to reduce over time as survivors overcome their illness despite its ongoing importance even years after treatment has finished. The current review aimed to systematically examine existing evidence on social support in child and adolescent cancer survivors. Methods: Five databases (PsychINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science) were searched systematically to identify quantitative studies which explored social support from the perspective of child and adolescent cancer survivors aged 18 years or younger. Results: A total of 10 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Findings from the review indicate that family and friends, particularly parents, are important sources of social support for survivors. Social support was positively related to posttraumatic growth, school re‐entry and physical activity, and negatively related to psychological stress, depression, anxiety and stress. Furthermore, findings relating to gender, age and group differences were mixed. A number of methodological concerns were identified in the reviewed studies including small sample sizes, as well as a lack of consistency in the measurement of social support. Conclusions: Future studies of social support for child and adolescent cancer survivors need to address these shortcomings to help inform care and support interventions promoting social support in survivors.

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  1. Veritas Health Innovation. Covidence systematic review software [Internet]. 2021.www.covidence.org
  2. Popay J, Roberts H, Sowden A, et al. Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews. A Prod ESRC Methods Programme Version. 2006;1(1):b92.

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Authors
Deegan, A., Brennan, C., Gallagher, P., Lambert, V., & Dunne, S.
Affiliations
Dublin City University (IE)
Corresponding author
Dunne, Simon
Venue
Psycho-Oncology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2023-03-26
Volume
32
Issue
6
Pages
819-833
ISSN
  • 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
  • 1099-1611
OpenAlex
W4353016749
Cited by
52
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 3
FWCI
3.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Breakthrough Cancer Research (EPSPG/2022/167)
  • Irish Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
Keywords
social support, childhood cancer survivors, adolescent cancer survivors, family support, parental support, posttraumatic growth, school re-entry, physical activity, psychological stress, depression, anxiety, coping
MeSH terms
Cancer Survivors, Adolescent, Child, Humans, Neoplasms, Parents, Social Support, Stress, Psychological

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