Life engagement: a predictive variable of quality of life in adolescents survivors of cancer?

Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QoL) of adolescents survivors of cancer is likely to be affected by consequences of the disease (Reinfjell & al., 2009). Life engagement and behavior are particularly important dimensions in an individual's life (Carver, Scheier & Wrosch, 2005), which could affect QoL. In this context, this study aims to examine the impact of pediatric cancers on the current QoL and life engagement of adolescent survivors. Methods: The questionnaires used were Life Engagement Test (LET) (Scheier, Wrosch & al., 2005) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Varni, 1998). The objectives were: 1) To identify if LET is a predictive variable of a higher QoL among adolescents survivors of cancer; 2) To compare these results with those obtained by a control group; 3) To study the influence of mothers’ perceptions of their children’s QoL on adolescents’ self-reported QoL. Findings: Fifty-one adolescents with a past of cancer, and one hundred adolescents without a past of cancer answered the questionnaires. Compared to adolescents from the general population, adolescent survivors of cancer reach an equivalent level of QoL and get higher score on LET. Furthermore, the relationship between life engagement and adolescents survivors‘ self-reported QoL is partly mediated by the mothers’ perceptions of their children’s QoL. Discussion: These findings show the importance of life engagement and mother's perceptions among adolescents survivors. Future research should allow us to understand better why some dyads experiencing after cancer appear to be more resilient than others.