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Are we friends? Best friend nominations in pediatric brain tumor survivors and associated factors

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Abstract

Background

Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTSs) are at risk of impairments in social competence. Limited information is available regarding nominations and reciprocated nominations of PBTSs as best friends and factors which may predict these.

Procedure

Caregivers of children (n = 32) aged 8–16 (38% low-grade glioma, 34% medulloblastoma, 28% other) completed ratings of child adjustment at baseline (T1) and PBTSs and classmates completed the Three Best Friends measure approximately 12 months later (T2). Sociometric data yielded ratings of best friend nominations and reciprocated best friend nominations.

Results

Nominations of PBTSs as best friends were not significantly different than controls, but PBTSs had fewer reciprocated best friend nominations than controls. Approximately half of PBTSs in this study did not have any reciprocated best friend nominations and 25% were not nominated by any peer as a best friend. Greater symptoms of depression and lower social skills in PBTSs were associated with fewer nominations as a best friend by peers and a greater likelihood of no reciprocal best friend nominations. Greater difficulties in emotional control were associated with fewer nominations as a best friend by peers.

Conclusions

The discrepancy between reciprocated best friend nominations and best friend nominations highlights a need to attend to reciprocal friendships in PBTSs and further understand social information processes in this population. Longitudinal analyses illustrate the impact of emotional adjustment on PBTS friendships.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (grant number 700793), as well as a joint postdoctoral fellowship provided by the SickKids Research Institute, the Garron Family Cancer Center, and the Center for Brain and Mental Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Leandra Desjardins, Maru Barrera, Laura Janzen & Ute Bartels

  2. BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada

    Joanna Chung

  3. Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada

    Danielle Cataudella & Andrea Downie

  4. Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, USA

    Diane Fairclough

Authors
  1. Leandra Desjardins
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  2. Maru Barrera
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Correspondence to Leandra Desjardins.

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Desjardins, L., Barrera, M., Chung, J. et al. Are we friends? Best friend nominations in pediatric brain tumor survivors and associated factors. Support Care Cancer 27, 4237–4244 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04706-3

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