Hidden cost of paediatric cancer: Effect of childhood cancer on sibling's psychological well-being

Aim: This cross-sectional study addresses the limited attention given to the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on siblings. It aims to investigate the psychological well-being among the siblings of childhood cancer survivors. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 37 siblings of children with cancer, ages 11-17 years, who completed assessments measuring emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, resilience, coping strategies, rejection sensitivity, self-esteem, and quality of life. Results: A significant negative correlation (r = -0.595, P < 0.05) was found between the rejection sensitivity and quality of life. Additionally, 81.08% of siblings showed scores on the emotional intelligence scale that fell within the high range, and 75.67% demonstrated high levels of resilience, both of which were positively associated with self-esteem (r = 0.465, P < 0.01) and self-efficacy (r = 0.518, P < 0.01). Coping strategies, particularly task-oriented coping, were associated with the higher overall quality of life (r = 0.480, P < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings highlight the complex psychological responses of siblings to a childhood cancer diagnosis. The study emphasizes the importance of considering individual and family characteristics, as well as temporal factors, to better understand and support the psychological well-being of these siblings.