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Journal of Pediatric Psychology 29(4) pp. 309-314, 2004
Journal of Pediatric Psychology vol. 29 no. 4 © Society of Pediatric Psychology 2004; all rights reserved

Brief Report: Empathy and Psychological Adjustment in Siblings of Children with Cancer

Larissa E. Labay, PsyD1 and Gary A. Walco, PhD2

1 Department of Pediatrics, Hackensack University Medical Center, and 2 University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School

All correspondence should be sent to Larissa Labay, Tomorrows Children's Institute, Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. E-mail: labay{at}humed.com.

Objective To examine relationships between empathy, illness concepts, sibling relationship variables, and psychological adjustment among siblings of children with cancer. Methods Participants were 29 siblings and 14 children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Data included self- and parent-report questionnaires completed during active treatment. Results Siblings did not exhibit increased rates of behavior problems, but did display more social and academic difficulties. Empathy was a significant predictor of externalizing and total problems. Cancer knowledge was not related to adjustment, but was associated with empathy. Birth order of the child with cancer and closeness within the sibling relationship were associated with less positive adjustment. Conclusions Empathy may play an important role in sibling adjustment following the diagnosis of cancer. Specific sibling relationship and family variables may be helpful in identifying siblings who are at greater need for psychosocial intervention.

Key words: childhood cancer; sibling adjustment; empathy; sibling relationships.


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