A review of the literature on resilience in the adolescent with cancer: Part II

Abstract

Adolescents with cancer experience multiple stressors that may stem from both the illness and from normal developmental tasks. Some adolescents remain or become resilient even when faced with multiple challenges. An understanding of what contributes to resilience in the adolescent cancer experience is important in caring for adolescents with cancer and childhood cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to provide a synthesis of the literature related to resilience in the adolescent cancer experience. Research recommendations based on theoretical and methodological limitations noted in the review are presented. © 1999 by Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses.