Functional Status in Children Diagnosed with ALL: Age and Gender Effects

<p>Age and gender have been purported as important variables in predicting the outcome of children diagnosed with leukemia. This study examines the relationship between age and gender as predictors of functional status in children following the completion of the induction phase of their treatment (i.e., approximately 5-weeks following their diagnosis) for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Prior to analyses, it was asserted that boys and girls would indicate unique experiences of perceived pain intensity and would yield significant differences in functional status scores as measured by the children’s parents. A sample of 50 boys (N=33) and girls (N=17) between the ages of 4 to 17 years, who were diagnosed with ALL, were examined for correlations between functional status and age. Furthermore, a model for perceived pain intensity as a potential mediator between age, gender, and functional status is offered. Results indicate that age was significantly correlated and predictive of functional status and that boys were significantly higher in functional status scores. Exploratory analyses were performed, highlighting the need for future research in this area.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Evans, Sean Eugene

Contributors dc:contributor

• Janet Sonne
• Elizabeth A. Bossert
• John Flora-Tostado
• Lois Van Cleve

• Child Psychology
• Psychology
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute -- psychology; Pain; Age Factors; Leukemia -- in infancy & childhood.

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1369

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2145