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Perceived physical appearance and adjustment of children with newly diagnosed cancer: A path analytic model

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Abstract

More intensive medical treatment protocols have been initiated with the goal of improving survival of pediatric cancer patients. Evaluation of the adjustment of this cohort of children with newly diagnosed cancer being treated with these modern regimens is essential in order to enhance quality of life. Children with cancer who experience disease and treatment-related changes in physical appearance are hypothesized to be at greater risk for psychological and social adjustment problems given society's attitudes toward visible physical differences. Within a risk and resistance theoretical framework, perceived physical appearance was investigated as a predictor of depressive symptoms, social anxiety, and general self-esteem in newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. In support of the a priori conceptual model, path analysis findings indicate that perceived physical appearance has direct and indirect effects on depressive symptoms and social anxiety with the indirect effects mediated by general self-esteem. Exploratory analysis suggests that the effect of perceived.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, California

    James W. Varni

  2. Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California

    Ernest R. Katz

  3. Division of Hematology-Oncology, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California

    Robert Colegrove Jr. & Michael Dolgin

  4. Sambur Center for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Children's Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel

    Michael Dolgin

  5. Psychosocial & Behavioral Sciences Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Children's Hospital and Health Center, 3020 Children's Way, 92123, San Diego, California

    James W. Varni

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  1. James W. Varni
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  2. Ernest R. Katz
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  3. Robert Colegrove Jr.
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  4. Michael Dolgin
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This research was supported by American Cancer Society Grant PBR-31.

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Varni, J.W., Katz, E.R., Colegrove, R. et al. Perceived physical appearance and adjustment of children with newly diagnosed cancer: A path analytic model. J Behav Med 18, 261–278 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01857873

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