Psychological functioning of adolescent with cancer

Oncological diseases in adolescence are stressful for psychological health since it represents a critical period of development marked by the structuring of identity, relationships, autonomy, and personality. The implementation of adaptive or maladaptive responses, i.e. different coping strategies, is influenced by multiple factors, including temperament and personality characteristics. The aim of the present research was to compare the scores obtained at the Personality Assessment Inventory - Adolescent (PAI-A) by two groups of 87 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years, oncological and not, perfectly matched for age and gender, with the aim of investigating the differences regarding specific aspects of personality, relational modes, and psychopathological manifestations or symptoms. The results of the analysis of the scales and subscales of the PAI-A show the higher mean scores in the group of adolescents with cancer for the followed scales and subscales: Somatic Complaints; Conversion; Somatization; Health Concerns; Depression; Physiological Depression; Persecution; Resentment; Schizophrenia; Social Detachment; Alcohol and Drug Problems; Suicidal Ideation; Affective Instability; Antisocial Features and Behaviors; Egocentricity; Physical Aggression; and Stress and Nonsupport. Conversely, the control group showed higher mean scores on dimensions such as Warmth, Irritability, Hypervigilance, and Dominance. The largest difference with the control group concerns the scales of alcohol and drug use. The results are discussed in light of the current literature.