Healthy siblings of children with cancer

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Published: Oct 15, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/psy_hps.23718
Keywords:
Siblings Oncology Representations Cancer Hatira’s Project Test (HPT) Drawings
Κ. Καραμπέλα
Π. Δ. Χατήρα
Δ. Δαμίγος
Abstract

The basic purpose of this research is to understand how healthy siblings visualize and represent health and disease as conditions affecting them and others in their family. Furthermore, an attempt was made to evaluate the emotions about health and disease for healthy siblings, as well as to investigate the parameters that interfere with the physical
and emotional life of healthy siblings. Fourteen healthy children participated in the research, aged between 7 and 14, siblings to children diagnosed and receiving treatment for leukemia (acute lymphoblastic &
myelogenous leukemia), nephroblastoma (Wilms’ tumor), lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, where evaluated according to the Hatira Projective Technique. Some positive but mainly negative responses were obtained.
The negative reactions concerned emotional instability, rejection, separation, siblings’ rivalry, the medical treatment and the fear of death, while positive reactions concerned self-awareness, sensitization, earlier maturing and increased family coherence after the crisis. The bond between siblings can outrun time and crises, even outgrowing the relationship between parents and their children. It is simultaneously a very vulnerable relationship, since traumatic experiences such as those arising from childhood cancer interfere with the mental and emotional development of the healthy brother or sister.

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