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Relationships among perceivers' attitudes and acceptance of children with cancer

Olsen, Brian T.

Abstract Details

2010, MA, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Psychology.

Lack of acceptance of children with cancer by their peers may result in social isolation (Fraser, 2003). Results of studies assessing peer acceptance of children with chronic illnesses like cancer, however, have been contradictory (e.g., Meijer et al., 2000); the reasons for this ambiguity have been difficult to identify. Understanding peer acceptance may improve if the relationships among perceiver characteristics, such as gender and race, children’s attitudes about and experiences with cancer, and acceptance of a child with cancer are clarified. Specifically, children’s attitudes toward and experience with others who have cancer may influence their acceptance (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980; Mabe, Riley, & Treiber, 1987). For example, children's ideas about contagion may impact their willingness to accept children with cancer (Chin et al., 1998; Schonfeld & Nabors, 2008). In addition, experience interacting with others who have a chronic illness may influence children’s perceptions of peers with the same illnesses (Harper, 1999). Previous research also has shown that race and gender influence the quality and nature of children’s friendships (Graham et al., 1997; Noll et al., 1991). The primary goal of this study was to determine the relations among children's ideas about cancer transmission, their previous experiences with cancer, their worries about cancer, and their intentions to accept a child with cancer. Additionally, gender and race differences in children’s acceptance and the extent to which these differentials were due to their ideas of, worries about, and previous experiences with cancer were examined.

Overall, the study variables provided support for the hypothesized model, accounting for 35% of the variance in acceptance of a child with cancer. Results indicated that having accurate knowledge about cancer transmission was the strongest predictor of acceptance of a child with cancer, positively influencing children’s acceptance. Both gender and experience with cancer provided an overall upward pressure on children’s acceptance of a child with cancer. Conversely, the total influence of race produced a downward pressure on acceptance of a child with cancer, with Black children being less accepting than their nonblack counterparts. Lastly, anxiety about cancer was not related to acceptance of a child with cancer.

In summary, results provided support for previous research and theoretical models that argue that an individual’s personal characteristics and attitudes influence their intended behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980; Bush & Iannotti, 1990). These results add to the literature in this area through outlining the specific influences of perceiver characteristics, attitudes, and experience on acceptance of children with cancer. Future research should seek to find specific interventions that increase accurate ideas and produce experiences with cancer that would lead to greater acceptance of children with cancer.

Laura Nabors, PhD (Committee Chair)
Christine Hovanitz, PhD (Committee Member)
Phillip Neal Ritchey, PhD (Committee Member)
Robert Stutz, PhD (Committee Member)
61 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Olsen, B. T. (2010). Relationships among perceivers' attitudes and acceptance of children with cancer [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277129874

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Olsen, Brian. Relationships among perceivers' attitudes and acceptance of children with cancer. 2010. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277129874.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Olsen, Brian. "Relationships among perceivers' attitudes and acceptance of children with cancer." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277129874

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)