Date of Paper

5-2013

Type of Paper

Clinical research paper

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Kari Fletcher

Department/School

Social Work

Abstract

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it impacts every facet of their life including their school experience and peer relationships. This research explored parents’ perspectives on how their child adjusted to school and peer relationships after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. This study distributed a survey that asked questions about the child’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, return to school, and peer relationships through quantitative and qualitative questions. Fifteen parents of children diagnosed with cancer completed the survey. Results indicated that parents educated the school and child’s class about their child’s diagnosis and sought help from different school support programs. Parent respondents wrote how their children were able to maintain peer relationships and were supported by their classmates during and after treatment for cancer. The findings of this study are limited because of the convenience sampling method and small sample size. The strengths and limitations of the study, implications for social work practice, and directions for future research are also outlined.

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Social Work Commons

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