Social support, social conflict, and adjustment among adolescents with cancer

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate support and conflict in close relationships of adolescents in active medical treatment for cancer. Family and friend perceptions of supportive and conflictual behaviors were examined in relation to psychological distress, taking into account the impact of functional impairment induced by the illness. Methods: Using self-report questionnaires, 50 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 years rated the frequency of supportive and conflictual interactions with parents, siblings and best friends. Results: Results indicated that perceived maternal conflict was associated with psychological distress. Conflict with fathers, siblings, and best friends was not associated with distress. Supportive aspects of close relationships did not predict psychological distress. The amount of physical impairment accounted for the most variance in distress, contributing between 35% and 38% of the variance. Conclusions: Results suggest that mother- adolescent conflict would be an appropriate target for psychosocial interventions.