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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1813230
Original Article

Enhancing Quality of Life and Reducing Anxiety in Children with Leukemia Through Social Support: A Pilot Cross-sectional Study

Autoren

  • Nesibe S. Kutahyalioglu 

    1   Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karabük University, Karabük, Turkey

  • Gamze Demirbas 

    2   Gerger State Hospital, Board of Trustees, Adiyaman, Turkey

Funding This research was supported by TUBITAK 2209/A, 2022, First Period.
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Abstract

Introduction

Approximately 400,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed annually among children and adolescents. Leukemia, the most prevalent pediatric cancer, is a leading cause of mortality in children under 15 years of age. Despite advances in treatment, patients often face remarkable social and academic challenges. The literature underscores the necessity of developing strategies to address these difficulties and provide comprehensive support to children with leukemia.

Objective

This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to enhance emotional well-being and resilience in children with leukemia by fostering a sense of solidarity and self-efficacy through interactions with mentors who have successfully recovered from leukemia.

Materials and Methods

The intervention involved 12 participants (7 girls and 5 boys, mean age = 10 years) from the country's eastern provinces. Over 3 months, these children engaged in online sessions with recovered leukemia survivors who provided motivational and academic support.

Results

The findings revealed statistically significant improvements in participants' trait anxiety (p = 0.029), general quality of life (p = 0.007), and coping skills related to cancer (p = 0.005). These results indicate that the mentorship program positively influenced the psychological and social well-being of children with leukemia.

Conclusion

This initiative demonstrates the potential of such programs to mitigate motivational challenges, foster social benefits, and contribute to pediatric cancer patients' long-term health and productivity.

Keywords

children - leukemia - mentorship - quality of life - anxiety - coping skills

Data Availability Statement

Data are available upon request.


Authors' Contributions

N.S.K.: Methodology, conceptualization, preparation of the original draft, data


collection and processing, analysis of data, writing, and editing.


G.D.: Methodology, conceptualization, preparation of the original draft, data collection


and processing, and writing.


Patient's Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the parents, and verbal assent was secured from the children.




Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
17. November 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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