Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System
07:02

An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System

Published on: January 12, 2011

16.4K

The impact of connectedness on social functioning in youth with brain tumors

Victoria W Willard1, Kathryn M Russell1, Alanna Long1

  • 1Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|January 8, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Children with brain tumors (BT) may experience challenges in social functioning. However, strong connections with friends can act as a protective factor, improving social skills and resilience in these young individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Child Psychology
  • Social Neuroscience

Background:

  • Children with brain tumors (BT) face significant risks for social functioning difficulties.
  • Existing research has primarily focused on deficits, neglecting potential strengths or resilience factors.
  • Understanding protective factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of connectedness on social functioning in youth with BT.
  • To compare social functioning and connectedness in youth with BT versus those with other cancers.
  • To identify potential resilience factors in pediatric cancer patients.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study followed children with cancer, including those with BT and other diagnoses.
  • Connectedness was measured using the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness (HMAC).
  • Social functioning was assessed via self- and proxy-report using the Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale (SEARS) over time.

Main Results:

  • Youth with BT reported lower connectedness to friends compared to children with other cancers.
  • Individuals with BT exhibited lower self- and parent-reported social functioning.
  • Friend connectedness significantly mediated the link between BT diagnosis and improved self-reported social functioning.

Conclusions:

  • A strong connection to friends may serve as a protective factor, potentially mitigating social functioning deficits in youth with BT.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the benefits of social connectedness as a resilience factor.
  • Interventions aimed at fostering peer connections could enhance social outcomes for pediatric brain tumor patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
brain tumorsconnectednessfriendshippediatric cancersocial functioning

More Related Videos

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion10:31

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

Published on: September 25, 2014

14.0K
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions10:45

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

12.2K

Related Concept Videos

Impact of Social Context on Individuals01:21

Impact of Social Context on Individuals

Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
318
Social Scripts02:10

Social Scripts

People tend to know what behavior is expected of them in specific, familiar settings. A script is a person’s knowledge about the sequence of events expected in a specific setting (Schank & Abelson, 1977). Essentially, scripts are a particular kind of schema, one containing default values for the features within an event. In the restaurant example, the script's features include the props (e.g., tables, menu, food, and money), the roles to be played (e.g., customer and waiter),...
10.3K
Social Proof00:52

Social Proof

Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
32.4K
Social Traps01:41

Social Traps

Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
26.9K
Social Facilitation01:04

Social Facilitation

Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
36.6K
Social Loafing01:37

Social Loafing

Another way in which a group presence can affect performance is social loafing—the exertion of less effort by a person working together with a group. Social loafing occurs when our individual performance cannot be evaluated separately from the group. Thus, group performance declines on easy tasks (Karau & Williams, 1993). Essentially individual group members loaf and let other group members pick up the slack. Because each individual’s efforts cannot be evaluated,...
39.7K