# Transition and Health Implications of Posttraumatic Growth in Pediatric Cancer Survivors

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $38,655

## Abstract

TITLE: Transition and Health Implications of Posttraumatic Growth in Pediatric Cancer Survivors
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: As the number of pediatric cancer survivors increases, it is crucial to
ensure that survivors receive guideline-based follow-up care to mitigate late effects and screen for secondary
malignancies and recurrence. Nationally established survivorship care guidelines emphasize the importance of
(1) attending yearly, guideline-based survivorship care and (2) engaging in positive health behaviors, including
eating a well-balanced diet and being physically active. Several barriers may exist that inhibit young adult
pediatric cancer survivors from following these care guidelines. For example, pediatric cancer survivors are at
risk for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms, which can lead to avoidance and inhibition of
positive health behaviors. However, survivors may also endorse posttraumatic growth (PTG), and previous
qualitative and quantitative studies suggest PTG may be positively correlated with positive health behaviors in
cancer survivors. Despite these optimistic findings, no studies to date have investigated the role of PTG in
survivorship care transition and engagement in positive health behaviors in pediatric cancer survivors. The
proposed project aims to inform prevention efforts targeting pediatric cancer survivors by investigating 1) a
qualitative perspective of the psychological and behavioral components of posttraumatic growth for survivors,
2) the relationship between PTG and successful transition to adult survivorship care and 3) the relationship
between PTG and positive health behaviors. This study will investigate potential positive implications of PTG in
pediatric cancer survivors, with the goal of informing intervention development. Participants will be asked to
complete a semi-structured interview, a PTG measure, a dietary recall measure and a physical activity recall
measure. Participants will be recruited from a Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Registry, an existing research-
consenting patient database developed by the University of Kansas Medical Center and Children’s Mercy
Kansas City to follow survivors of pediatric cancer during their transition from pediatric to adult survivorship
care. This study seeks to follow thoughtful, strategic steps to involve individuals from groups that are typically
underrepresented in cancer research. The proposed study aims are integrated with a specialized training plan
designed to improve the applicant’s knowledge of pediatric cancer survivorship, trauma, behavioral health
intervention development and health equity. The proposed research project and training plan will provide vital
support for the applicant’s development as an independent translational researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10996281
- **Project number:** 1F31CA288067-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Renee M Gilbert
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $38,655
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-12 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10996281

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10996281, Transition and Health Implications of Posttraumatic Growth in Pediatric Cancer Survivors (1F31CA288067-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10996281. Licensed CC0.

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