Abstract
Background and Aims:
The psychological long-term impact of childhood cancer on siblings is poorly understood, especially concerning important self-related constructs such as identity and personality. The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare siblings with control participants on identity functioning, personality traits, and general well-being (depression, self-esteem, satisfaction with life) and to investigate associations of identity functioning and personality with demographic, and clinical characteristics and general well-being in siblings.
Methods:
Siblings (n=80; mean age: 19.13; 49% male) were matched on age and gender with healthy controls (2:1). Identity synthesis and confusion were measured with the identity subscale from the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory. The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale was used to measure five identity dimensions. Personality traits were measured using the Quick Big Five questionnaire.
Results:
Siblings had significantly lower scores than community youth on agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness, but they did not differ on any of the identity constructs. Siblings reported lower self-esteem and satisfaction with life. For siblings, age of sibling at diagnosis was positively associated with the identity dimension of exploration in breadth. Sisters reported more identity confusion, less identity synthesis, more neuroticism, and openness to experience than brothers. Identity synthesis, the identity dimension of identification with commitment, and the personality trait of agreeableness related to better well-being in siblings. Exploration in depth was positively related to satisfaction with life. Extraversion was positively related to satisfaction with life and self-esteem. In contrast, identity confusion, the identity dimension of ruminative exploration, and neuroticism were associated with worse well-being.
Conclusions:
The finding that siblings are at risk of having low self-esteem and satisfaction with life is in line with existing literature. Our findings suggest that identity functioning and personality can be important constructs to consider in relation to general well-being in siblings of survivors of pediatric cancer.
The psychological long-term impact of childhood cancer on siblings is poorly understood, especially concerning important self-related constructs such as identity and personality. The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare siblings with control participants on identity functioning, personality traits, and general well-being (depression, self-esteem, satisfaction with life) and to investigate associations of identity functioning and personality with demographic, and clinical characteristics and general well-being in siblings.
Methods:
Siblings (n=80; mean age: 19.13; 49% male) were matched on age and gender with healthy controls (2:1). Identity synthesis and confusion were measured with the identity subscale from the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory. The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale was used to measure five identity dimensions. Personality traits were measured using the Quick Big Five questionnaire.
Results:
Siblings had significantly lower scores than community youth on agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness, but they did not differ on any of the identity constructs. Siblings reported lower self-esteem and satisfaction with life. For siblings, age of sibling at diagnosis was positively associated with the identity dimension of exploration in breadth. Sisters reported more identity confusion, less identity synthesis, more neuroticism, and openness to experience than brothers. Identity synthesis, the identity dimension of identification with commitment, and the personality trait of agreeableness related to better well-being in siblings. Exploration in depth was positively related to satisfaction with life. Extraversion was positively related to satisfaction with life and self-esteem. In contrast, identity confusion, the identity dimension of ruminative exploration, and neuroticism were associated with worse well-being.
Conclusions:
The finding that siblings are at risk of having low self-esteem and satisfaction with life is in line with existing literature. Our findings suggest that identity functioning and personality can be important constructs to consider in relation to general well-being in siblings of survivors of pediatric cancer.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S406-S407 |
| Journal | Pediatric Blood & Cancer |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue number | S5 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |