Nurse‐patient Relationships

Amputation is often a component in the treatment of bone tumors such as osteogenic sarcoma, which is most prevalent in the adolescent age group. Adaptation to cancer and loss of a limb requires a significant multidimensional effort. To examine the role of social support systems, 27 adolescents who had undergone amputations for cancer were interviewed. Inquiries were made regarding patients' perceived social support providers and the impact of amputation upon their lives and independence. Parents, especially mothers, were perceived as realistic and most helpful at the time of surgery (80%), followed by professional hospital staff (59.3%), and siblings (59.3%). Friends of patients were less helpful, as many reported their friends felt sorry for them (65.4%), avoided them (33.3%), or drifted away (40%). Only 7.4% of the patients had a clear preference to be associated with other amputees. This study details other preferences and difficulties encountered by the adolescent amputees and the role of support systems in their adaptation to their disease and amputation.

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The role of social support systems in adolescent cancer amputees

Tebbi

Stern

Boyle

et al. 1985

Cancer

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Social Support and the Cancer Patient

Wortman¹

1984

Cancer

384

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Interpersonal Relationships and Cancer: A Theoretical Analysis

Wortman¹,

Dunkel-Schetter²

1979

Journal of Social Issues

466

230

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This paper focuses on the effect of cancer on the patient's interpersonal relationships, and the ultimate impact of these relationships on the patient's emotional adjustment to the disease. In a detailed theoretical analysis, both the patient's reaction to the illness and others' responses toward the patient are explored. Concerning the patient, the following issues are discussed: (1) fears and uncertainties that develop as one attempts to cope with the diagnosis; (2) the consequent need for clarification and support; and (3) the barriers to receiving validation and support from others. Others' reactions to the patient are hypothesized to be a function of a conflict between (1) their feelings about the illness, which are predominantly negative; and (2) their beliefs about appropriate behaviors to display when interacting with cancer patients (optimism and cheerfulness). This conflict results in behavioral responses that are unintentionally damaging to the patient, including physical avoidance, avoidance of open discussion of the illness, and discrepancies among behaviors. The impact of others' behavior on the patient and the patient's subsequent attempts to solve their interpersonal problems are discussed. The paper concludes with implications for intervention and research.

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Nurse‐patient Relationships

Cited by 6 publications

References 1 publication

The role of social support systems in adolescent cancer amputees

The role of social support systems in adolescent cancer amputees

Social Support and the Cancer Patient

Interpersonal Relationships and Cancer: A Theoretical Analysis

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