The content of personal Web home pages created by adolescents with cancer is a new source of information about this population of potential benefit to oncology nurses and psychologists. Individual Internet elements found on 21 home pages created by youths with cancer (14-22 years old) were rated for cancer-related selfpresentation, information dissemination, and interpersonal connection. Examples of adolescents' online narratives were also recorded. Adolescents with cancer used various Internet elements on their home pages for cancer-related self-presentation (eg, welcome messages, essays, personal history and diary pages, news articles, and poetry), information dissemination (e.g., through personal interest pages, multimedia presentations, lists, charts, and hyperlinks), and interpersonal connection (eg, guestbook entries). Results suggest that various elements found on personal home pages are being used by a limited number of young patients with cancer for self-expression, information access, and contact with peers.
Bessel, A. G. (2001). Children surviving cancer: Psychosocial adjustment, quality of life, and school experiences. Exceptional Children, 67(3), 345-359.
2.
Bluebond-Langner, M., Perkel, D., & Goertzel, T. (1991). Pediatric cancer patients' peer relationships: The impact of an oncology camp experience. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 9(2), 67-80.
3.
Carlson, C., Reilly, M., & Hitchens, A. (2005). An innovative approach to the care of patients on Phase I and Phase II clinical trials: The role of the experimental therapeutics nurse. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 22, 353-364.
4.
Chan, S. Y. M. (2000). Wired selves: From artifact to performance. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 3(2), 271-284.
5.
Claflin, C. J., & Barbarin, O. A. (1991). Does “telling” less protect more? Relationships among age, information disclosure, and what children with cancer see and feel. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16(2), 169-191.
6.
Cooper, D. C., & Anderson-Inman, L. (1988). Language and socialization. In M. A. Nippold (Ed.), Later language development: Ages nine through nineteen(pp. 225-245). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
7.
Decker, C., Phillips, C. R., & Haase, J. E. (2004). Information needs of adolescents with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 21, 327-334.
8.
Doring, N. (2002). Personal home pages on the Web: A review of research[online document]. Retrieved November 2002 from http://www.ascusc.org/jcmc/vol7/issue3/doering.html
9.
Dunsmore, J., & Quine, S. (1995). Information, support, and decision-making needs and preferences of adolescents with cancer: Implications for health professionals. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 13(4), 39-56.
10.
Enskar, K., Carlsson, M., Golsater, M., & Hamrin, E. (1997). Symptom distress and life situation in adolescents with cancer. Cancer Nursing, 20(1), 23-33.
11.
Fleiss, J. L. (1981). Statistical methods for rates and proportions (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley.
12.
Fritz, G. K., & Williams, J. R. (1990). Issues of adolescent development for survivors of childhood cancer. In M. E. Hertzig (Ed.), Annual progress of child psychiatry and child development(pp. 208-218). Philadelphia: Brunner/Mazel.
13.
Fritz, G. K., Williams, J. R., & Amylon, M. (1988). After treatment ends: Psychosocial sequelae in pediatric cancer survivors. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 58(4), 552-561.
14.
Hockenberry-Eaton, M., & Minick, P. (1994). Living with cancer: Children with extraordinary courage. Oncology Nursing Forum, 21(6), 1025-1031.
15.
Jamison, R. N., Lewis, S., & Burish, T. G. (1986). Psychological impact of cancer on adolescents: Self-image, locus of control, perception of illness and knowledge of cancer. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 39(8), 609-617.
16.
Jenkins, R. A., & Pargament, K. I. (1995). Religion and spirituality as resources for coping with cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 13(1-2), 51-74.
17.
Karian, V. E., Jankowski, S. M., & Beal, J. A. (1998). Exploring the lived-experience of childhood cancer survivors. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 15(3), 153-162.
18.
Kelly, K. P., & Porock, D. (2005). A survey of pediatric oncology nurses' perceptions of parent educational needs. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 22, 58-66.
19.
Kleinman, A. (1988). The illness narratives: Suffering, healing, and the human condition. New York: Basic Books.
20.
Koocher, G. P., & O'Malley, J. E. (1981). The Damocles syndrome: Psychological consequences of surviving childhood cancer. New York: McGraw-Hill.
21.
Kvist, S. B., Rajantie, J., Kvist, M., & Siimes, M. A. (1991). Aggression: The dominant psychological response in children with malignant disease. Psychological Reports, 68(3, Pt. 2), 1139-1150.
22.
Kyngas, H., Mikkonen, R., Nousiainen, E. M., Rytilahti, M., Seppanen, P., Vaattovaara, R., et al. (2001). Coping with the onset of cancer: Coping strategies and resources of young people with cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 10(1), 6-11.
23.
Last, B. F., & van Veldhuizen, A. M. H. (1996). Information about diagnosis and prognosis related to anxiety and depression in children with cancer aged 8-16 years. European Journal of Cancer Care, 32A(2), 290-294.
24.
Lyons, E. J., Mehl, M. R., & Pennebaker, J. W. (in press). Linguistic self-presentation in anorexia: Differences in proanorexia and recovering anorexia internet language use. Journal of Psychosomatic Research.
25.
Miller, H. (1995). The presentation of self in electronic life: Goffman on the Internet. Retrieved September 3, 2002, from http://ess.ntu.ac.uk/miller/cyberpsych/goffman.htm
26.
Nichols, M. L. (1995). Social support and coping in young adolescents with cancer. Pediatric Nursing, 21(3), 235-240.
27.
Noll, R. B., Gartstein, M. A., Vannatta, K., Correll, J., Bukowski, W. M., & Davies, W. H. (1999). Social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children with cancer. Pediatrics, 103(1), 71-78.
28.
Novakovic, B., Fears, T. R., Wexler, L. H., McClure, L. L., Wilson, D. L., McCalla, J. L., et al. (1996). Experiences of cancer in children and adolescents. Cancer Nursing, 19(1), 205-221.
29.
Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. (1986). Confronting a traumatic event: Toward and understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(3), 274-281.
30.
Pennebaker, J. W., & Francis, M. E. (1996). Cognitive, emotional, and language processes in disclosure. Cognition and Emotion, 10(6), 601-626.
31.
Pennebaker, J. W., Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Glaser, R. (1988). Disclosure of traumas and immune function: Health implications for psychotherapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56(2), 239-245.
32.
Ries, L. A. G., Eisner, M. P., Kosary, C. L., Hankey, B. F., Miller, B. A., Clegg, L., et al. (2002). SEER cancer statistics review, 1973-1999, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1973-1999/
33.
Saillant, F. (1990). Discourse, knowledge, and experience of cancer: a life story. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 14(1), 81-104.
34.
Seale, J. K. (2001). The same but different: The use of the personal home page by adults with Down syndrome as a tool for self-presentation. British Journal of Educational Technology, 32(3), 343-352.
35.
Seepersad, S. (2004). Coping with loneliness: adolescent online and offline behavior. Cyberpsychology and Behavior, 7(1), 35-39.
36.
Skott, C. (2002). Expressive metaphors in cancer narratives. Cancer Nursing, 25(3), 230-235.
37.
Smith, M. A., Gurney, J. G., & Ries, L. A. G. (1999). Cancer among adolescents 15-19 years old(99-4649). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute, SEER Program.
38.
Suzuki, L. K. & Kato, P. M. (2003). Psychosocial support for patients in pediatric oncology: The influences of parents, schools, peers, and technology. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 20, 159-174.
39.
Tebbi, C. K., Mallon, J. C., Richards, M. E., & Bigler, L. R. (1987). Religiosity and locus of control of adolescent cancer patients. Psychological Reports, 61, 683-696.
40.
Thornton, A. A. (2002). Perceiving benefits in the cancer experience. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 9(2), 153-165.
41.
Tichon, J., & Yellowlees, P. (2003). Internet social support for children and adolescents. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 9(4), 238-240.
42.
Tichon, J. G., & Shapiro, M. (2003). The process of sharing social support in cyberspace. Cyberpsychology and Behavior, 6(2), 161-170.
43.
Waxler-Morrison, N., Doll, R., & Hislop, T. G. (1995). The use of qualitative methods to strengthen psychosocial research on cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 13(1-2), 177-191.
