Psychosocial care in children with stem cell transplantation

The paper describes adaptation processes of children undergoing stem cell transplantation. Results from a prospective longitudinal study indicate two different levels of emotional adaptation. The children's good adaptation to the facts of treatment are a result of heavy inner work. The child's neuroticism and anxiety scores and the parents' coping style and experienced social support seem to have an influence on the occurrence of severe adjustment disorders during SCT. It is important to recognise the child's inner processes and the family's influences before and during SCT.