Benefit Finding Among Children And Adolescents With Leukemia

Background and Objective:The onset of a serious illness; leukemia has been recognized not only as a potentially traumatic event for children, but also as a potential catalyst for resilience and even positive changes and growth. Children found stressful events, much time spent in the hospital, got an invasive procedure periodically, more stressful, perceived threat may account for the relation of benefit finding. The aim of this study was describing benefit finding, optimism/pessimism, quality of life among children and adolescents with leukemia, by determining the contribution of socio-demographic-medical variables, association between benefit finding with other psychological variables (optimism/pessimism and quality of life), and identify predictors of benefit finding.Methods:Children and adolescents diagnosed with leukemia (7-18years of age) were recruited from pediatric ward, one day care clinic, and routine follow up clinic. Ask for completing questionnaires of Benefit Finding Scale for Children (BFSC), Youth Life Orientation Test (optimism/pessimism), and Pediatric Quality of Life. This study was conducted between the months of March and April2014.Results:Sixty two children and adolescents completed questionnaires. They had a moderate level of benefit finding (mean3.9, SD:0.614, range1-5), high optimism (mean3.7, SD:0.277, range1-4), and good quality of life (mean3.8, SD:0.607, range1-5). Higher age had better benefit finding (P:0.000, r:0.611). Higher education level had better benefit finding (P:0.001, τ:0.302). Higher age time of diagnosis had better benefit finding (P:0.000, r:0.53). Children and adolescents exposed to worse prognosis had better benefit finding (P:0.013, τ:-0.247). Benefit finding was significant correlate to optimism (P:0.041, r:0.26) and higher optimism had better benefit finding. Age, type of leukemia, and well being variables accounted for58.3%variance in benefit finding.Conclusion:It is important to focus on the positive dimensions in order to provide an additional input needed to support children and adolescents who find themselves’ coping with complex and demanding treatments. This study results showed that benefit finding reflects a positive outcome in its own right and not just a mere reduction of distress.