A - 47 The Relationship between Cognitive Abilities and Illness Self-Perception in Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract Objective The present study aims to examine the relationship between cognitive scores and illness identity in pediatric cancer patients. Youth with cancer confront unique challenges as their illness interacts with their cognitive development and maturing identity. Previous studies with typically developing youth suggest that high verbal ability may facilitate processing stressors in a way that impacts sense of self. However, this interaction remains largely unstudied in pediatric cancer populations. Methods This study analyzed data from 23 participants ages 9–20 years (M = 15.09, SD = 3.190) who completed the Illness Identity Questionnaire (IIQ) and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II). “Illness Identity” is measured by 25 statements categorized into four domains. The “Engulfment” domain, the degree to which an individual defines themselves by their illness, is considered maladaptive to individuals’ psychological adjustment to illness. Results Pearson correlation analyses revealed a nonsignificant relationship between WASI-II composite scores and broad IIQ domains. However, an examination of individual IIQ domains revealed a significant, positive correlation between Verbal Comprehension Index and Full Scale IQ scores with a specific item endorsed in the Engulfment domain. Higher FSIQ and VCI composite scores were significantly positively correlated to the statement: “My cancer has a strong impact on how I see myself” (r = 0.435, p = 0.038; r = 0.422, p = 0.045). Conclusion Results suggest a possible relationship between verbal comprehension ability and general cognitive ability with illness self-perception. This study elucidates the impact of cognitive processes on the psychological experience of illness in pediatric cancer patients. Future research should expand upon these findings with larger and more diverse samples.