Projects
01
Validation of the French Version of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool.
This project aims to validate the French translation of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT). This tool is used to screen the level of psychosocial risk of parents of a child diagnosed with cancer. The validation process allows the translated version to be more representative of the reality experienced by francophone families in Quebec. Eventually, the PAT will be used in clinical settings to better assist parents.
02
Brain tumor survivors often face many difficulties in social competence. One of which being, facing impairment in interpersonal trust. They often recognize trust as being an important aspect of relationships, but they don’t mention it as being present in their own relationships. A lack of trust in relationships may have a negative impact on relationships quality by slowing the development of a more intimate, meaningful, and fulfilling bond, which could negatively affect the social adjustment and quality of life of pediatric brain tumor survivors. Lower levels of trust have also been known to be related to higher levels of loneliness. To date, there have been no quantitative studies examining trust in pediatric brain tumor survivors and how loneliness might relate to this. To address this gap, our Trust Study will be the first to quantitatively look at trust levels of pediatric brain tumor survivors compared to children from the community. Information on other aspects related to social competence and trust will be looked at (e.g., socioeconomic status, loneliness, social adjustment). Knowing more about trust in pediatric brain tumor survivors is important as it will inform us about whether working on trust in social competence interventions is of interest.
03
Social Behaviors in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors
This study aims to understand the social difficulties that pediatric brain tumor survivors often face through the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Tool (ADOS-2) to assess the social behaviors of pediatric brain tumor survivors compared to healthy controls. This project is important as it will help improve social skills interventions. By knowing the specific social behaviors that pediatric brain tumor survivors are experiencing difficulties in, interventions can focus on supporting the development of these particular skills that they may be struggling with. Reducing social competence difficulties will have an important impact on the quality of life of pediatric brain tumor survivors.
04
ELANT Screening for Transition Readiness in Pediatric Oncology Survivors
Our research project "ELANT Screening for Transition Readiness in Pediatric Oncology Survivors" aims to explore how adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors' readiness to transfer from pediatric to adult care settings evolve over time. We are particularly interested in evaluating transition readiness using the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) and in identifying both facilitators and barriers to a successful transition to adult care settings.
05
Transition readiness workshops for brain tumor survivors
To successfully navigate the transition to adult healthcare, it is recommended that youth in pediatric care develop transition readiness skills. Existing transition readiness interventions often focus on disease management. However, pediatric brain tumor survivors are also at risk of social competence and cognitive functioning challenges that further complicate their transition readiness. Our workshops will be specifically designed to meet the needs of pediatric brain tumor survivors and their caregivers. Specifically, the workshops will include information and transition skills relevant to disease management, social competence, and cognitive functioning.