O'Connell, Sarah Caroline

Objectives/purpose: This study examined the psychosocial health (including resilience, hope, social functioning, mental wellbeing, and stress) of childhood cancer patients attending a recreational oncology camp (ROC).Methods: Childhood cancer patients enrolled for ROC participated in a survey on the first (T1) and last (T2) day of camp, and 3 months post-camp (T3). This survey included the: Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM), Children's Hope Scale (CHS), Social Provisions Scale (SPS-5), and Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). Afternoon saliva samples were collected at T1 and T2 to determine cortisol (ELISA). Results: CYRM, SPS-5, and SWEMWBS scores were high but did not differ between timepoints. CHS scores at T3 were lower compared to T1 and T2 (F=9.388, p=0.008). Salivary cortisol levels were within normal ranges. Conclusion/clinical implications: Childhood cancer patients have high levels of positive psychosocial variables and normal stress levels while attending ROC.

Author Keywords: cancer, children, hope, oncology camp, psychosocial health