Dissertation
Understanding perspectives and resilience of adolescents with a parent diagnosed with cancer
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Summer 2025
DOI: 10.25820/etd.008085
Abstract
This mixed methods study explored how an educational support group enhances adolescents’ resilience and coping strategies when faced with a parent’s cancer diagnosis. It also examined adolescents’ perceptions and understanding of cancer and its impact on their lives. The research addressed three questions: (1) How does participation in a support group affect adolescents' coping and resilience? (2) How do adolescents describe their experiences in the group? (3) How do they relate these experiences to their personal coping and resilience? A convergent mixed methods design was used, merging quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive view of adolescent resilience. Four participants completed a 10-week Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) using resilience and coping assessments. Additionally, six participants were interviewed and the qualitative data revealed key themes regarding adolescent’s perspectives: (i) emotional responses and changes after a parent’s diagnosis, (ii) group identity formation through shared learning experiences, and (iii) personal growth through adversity, facilitated by coping strategies. This study explores the impact of resilience and peer-based educational support groups on adolescents coping with a parent’s cancer diagnosis. Findings in this study indicated that adolescents with medium to high self-assessed resilience exhibited stronger coping abilities, while those with lower resilience improved their coping efficacy and frequency through participation in support groups. Engagement in these groups fostered a sense of identity, encouraged the adoption and reinforcement of coping strategies, and facilitated a cognitive shift. Additionally, participants demonstrated personal growth, increased empathy, and enhanced emotional resilience through shared experiences and guided learning within the virtual support environment. The role of child life specialists in providing developmentally appropriate education and fostering resilience in peer support settings is highlighted.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Understanding perspectives and resilience of adolescents with a parent diagnosed with cancer
- Creators
- Emily NR Mozena
- Contributors
- Kathy L Schuh (Advisor)D Martin Kivlighan III (Committee Member)Pamela M Wesely (Committee Member)Matthew E Lira (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Psychological and Quantitative Foundations (Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology)
- Date degree season
- Summer 2025
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.008085
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xv, 151 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Emily Mozena
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 05/15/2025
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, graphs, tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 111-120).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
This study investigated how participation in an educational support group enhanced resilience and coping strategies in adolescents coping with a parent s cancer diagnosis. It also examined adolescents perceptions and understanding of cancer and its effects on their lives. The research addressed three primary questions: (1) How does participation in a support group influence adolescents coping and resilience? (2) How do adolescents describe their experiences in the group? (3) How do these experiences relate to their personal coping strategies and resilience development?
A convergent mixed methods design was employed to integrate quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive analysis of adolescent resilience. Four participants completed a 10-week Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) using assessments to measure changes in resilience and coping. Additionally, six participants participated in in-depth interviews, revealing key themes. These themes included: (i) emotional responses and adaptations following a parent s diagnosis, (ii) the formation of a group identity through shared learning experiences and therapeutic activities, and (iii) personal growth through adversity facilitated by coping strategies and increasing resilience.
Adolescents facing a parent s cancer diagnosis experienced significant emotional and situational challenges. Findings revealed that adolescents with medium to high self-assessed resilience demonstrate stronger coping mechanisms, while those with lower resilience benefitted from participation, improving their coping efficacy over time. Support groups fostered a sense of belonging, encourage the adoption and reinforcement of coping strategies, and promote cognitive shifts. Additionally, participants experienced personal growth, developed greater empathy, and enhanced their emotional resilience through shared experiences and guided learning in a virtual setting. The study examined the critical role of child life specialists in offering developmentally appropriate education and support within peer group settings. These interventions in this study fostered resilience and equipped adolescents with effective coping strategies during a parent s cancer journey.
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
- Record Identifier
- 9984948540702771
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