Date of Award
5-8-2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Lindsey L. Cohen
Second Advisor
Jordan Gilleland Marchak
Third Advisor
Betty Sao-Hou Lai
Fourth Advisor
Laura McKee
Abstract
Many youth with cancer experience positive outcomes, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study aimed to understand the process that theoretically precedes PTG, often described as a shattering and rebuilding of world-views, for young adult survivors (YAS) of childhood cancer. Peer relationships (PR) and self-esteem (SE) were evaluated as two world-views that might be vulnerable to change during a youth’s cancer experience. In this study, YAS retrospectively reported their PR and SE before and during their cancer, and currently as survivors, in addition to current PTG. Six patterns of change in PR and SE across the cancer experience were identified. Individuals who endorsed a pattern that mirrored the process that theoretically precedes PTG in their SE, reported higher PTG than individuals who did not endorsed that pattern. Findings provide insight into how YAS remember their cancer experience and its impact on current circumstances and positive adaptation.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/16929590
Recommended Citation
Gise, Jensi, "The Posttraumatic Growth Process in Young Adult Survivors of Adolescent Cancer: The Relevance of Peer Relationships and Self-esteem." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2020.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/16929590
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