Quality of life of children with cancer, analysis of a concept and a measure

grantor: University of TorontoResearch on Quality of Life (QOL) for children with cancer is expanding. However, there is lack of clarity around the conceptualization and operationalization of the concept. Based on the conceptual and methodological inadequacies found in the literature, this study was undertaken to critically, examine the concept of QOL of children with cancer and corroborate the defining attributes of QOL with an instrument that assesses QOL in children with cancer. Walker and Avant's (1995) approach to concept analysis was used to determine the defining attributes of QOL of children with cancer. The defining attributes were then compared to the items from the Pediatric Oncology Quality of Life Scale (Goodwin, Boggs, & Graham-Pole, 1994) and empirical findings from parents of children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (n = 25). Finally, QOL for children with cancer was defined as the child's perception of the extent to which he/she has the ability to function physically, emotionally and socially within his/her environment.M.Sc