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majority of research into childhood cancer survivorship to date has not been
theoretically driven, with care primarily delivered and studied through medical models
focused on specific late effects. As stated by O’Hair et al. (2003), there is a need for
more theoretically driven research in the growing field of cancer and survivorship.
There is a need for frameworks addressing the individual and environmental influences
on survivors (Karian, Jankowski, & Beal, 1998; Skalski, DiGerolamo, & Gigliotti,
2006). Neuman’s systems theory has been applied as a nursing framework for survivor
care (Karian et al., 1998).
Finally, the findings of this study leave questions that provide an opportunity for
qualitative research to help heath professionals working with these young people gain a
greater understanding of what factors may contribute to the overall positive findings.
This thesis has reported on only one aspect of the wider ACSIS study in which data was
collected on the broader health and wellbeing domains that include social
connectedness, spirituality, risk taking behaviours and health protective behaviours.
Once the findings of this study are analysed there will be a much richer profile of this
population of young survivors that may lead to further research opportunities that are
not indicated from the findings of this thesis.
5.6 Conclusion
This research began with questions about the impact on an adolescent population
in New Zealand of surviving a childhood cancer. Did they experienced more
psychosocial difficulties after their experience or conversely had a greater sense of self
protective behaviours than their peers? The young childhood cancer survivors who took
part in this survey demonstrated that for many of them they see themselves as mostly
happy, well-adjusted young people. There are however, an important minority who
reported significant depression, poorer emotional wellbeing and increased difficulties.
As Oeffinger and Hudson (2004) observed, many late effects from childhood cancer
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