Elucidation of the process of resilience acquisition of pediatric cancer patients and the establishment of necessary psychosocial support

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K02044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: IWABUCHI Haruko 新潟大学, 医歯学総合研究科, 客員研究員 (60444163)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: レジリエンス / 小児がん

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The childhood cancer experience is a serious stressful experience that affects the rest of a child's life. The ultimate goal of childhood cancer treatment is to cure the disease and return the child to the life before the onset of the disease as much as possible, but there are some cases where the child cannot return to school even if the disease is medically cured. In recent years, the concept of "resilience" has been attracting attention as a recovery of the mind from stressors. Resilience in childhood cancer survivors is enhanced by the psychosocial support of those around them. In this study, we applied the "10 Ways to Build Resilience" advocated by the American Psychological Association to pediatric cancer patients and clarified the psychosocial support necessary to acquire and strengthen resilience.

Free Research Field

小児がん

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

小児がんは成人のがんに比べ根治を望める疾患である。反面、小児期にがんを経験するということは本人・家族にとって強烈なストレス体験であり、周囲の心理社会的サポートが欠かせない。これらのサポートを適切に行なうことにより、小児がんというネガティブな体験を自分の人生の一部に組み込み、闘病生活後のそれぞれのより良い人生に戻っていくこと、これが真の意味での病気の克服であり、小児がん診療におけるレジリエンスの獲得であり、そして我々小児血液腫瘍医の最終的な願いである。本研究で、必要な心理社会的サポートは多岐に渡ることが判明した。少子化の現代において、一人でも多くのこどもの命と人生を守る事の重要性は高いと考える。