The Relationship Between Attitudes Toward Illness and Quality of Life for Children with Cancer and Healthy Siblings

The current study examines the relationship between attitudes toward illness and quality of life for children with cancer and healthy siblings. Children with cancer (n = 65) and healthy siblings of children with cancer (n = 81) completed self-report questionnaires on quality of life and attitudes toward illness. Parents (n = 115) also completed questionnaires about their children’s quality of life. Illness attitudes were related to both self-report [t(57) = 3.94, p < .001] and parent-report [t(56) = 3.991, p < .01] of child quality of life for children with cancer. Illness attitudes were also related to parent-report of sibling quality of life. These findings suggest a relationship between modifiable cognitive factors, such as attitudes, and quality of life for children with cancer and their families.