Social Functioning Within the First Years After Pediatric Brain Tumor Diagnosis and the Relationship With Family Psychosocial Risk

BACKGROUND: Survivors of pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) can experience long-term social difficulties, impacting quality of life. Beyond medical and environmental factors, family psychosocial risk may play a role in social outcomes by shaping the caregiving environment and may provide intervention options. There is limited knowledge of the first years post-diagnosis, but this may be a critical time for developing social difficulties. AIMS: Examine social functioning <2.5 years after diagnosis and explore associations with family psychosocial risk in addition to demographic and medical factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study describes data collected through a clinical program at the Princess Máxima Center for patients with PBT aged 0-18 years at diagnosis. Social functioning was assessed with behavioral questionnaires (ABAS-3; CBCL) and family psychosocial risk with the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT 2.0). One-sample t-tests, and multiple linear and Tobit regressions were applied. RESULTS: Participants were on average 14.15 months from diagnosis (N = 124; 62% male). All social outcomes were in the average range, but Leisure scores were statistically below the population mean (p = 0.034). Older age at diagnosis was related to lower Leisure scores (B[SE] = -0.18[0.05], p < 0.001) and male sex was related to lower Social skills scores (B[SE] = -1.04[0.48], p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Mean scores on social functioning are within the average range within 2.5 years after diagnosis. Male sex and older diagnosis age were associated with lower social functioning at this phase, but family psychosocial risk and other medical factors were not significantly related. Future research should explore alternative protective family factors (e.g., dynamics, coping) that may be targets for interventions.