Children's Coping With Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Stressors: Results From the Journeys to Recovery Study

Study aims were to determine types of stressors present prior to pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and 45 days post-HSCT, identify coping strategies used, and evaluate the perceived strategy efficacy from the patient's perspective as measured by the Kidcope. Pre-HSCT, the majority of 93 participants (7–18 years) chose stressors that were classified as “psychosocial” (63% vs. 37%). At Day 45, participants selecting “medical” stressors increased from 37% to 50%. At both time points, “wishful thinking” was used most frequently, despite it being the least effective coping strategy. The most efficacious coping strategy at both time points was social support.