Background
Childhood cancer survivors can face social difficulties on return to school after treatment. One such difficulty with significant consequences is bullying. This study aimed to describe the experiences of bullying among survivors of childhood cancer.
Methods
We recruited survivors aged 8-25 years, 1-10 years post-treatment and their parents. Participants completed a survey, and we conducted semi-structured interviews about their experiences with bullying, and other social experiences, on return to school or work.
Results
A total of 73 survivors (52 children/adolescents and 21 young adults) and 61 parents (including 47 survivor-parent dyads) participated in a questionnaire. Nine survivors and 16 parents completed interviews. Twenty-seven survivors (37.0%) and 13 parents (22.8%) reported bullying on survey, and one survivor and 7 parents reported experiencing some form of bullying during interview. There was low agreement between survivor self-reports and parent reports of bullying, with survivors more commonly reporting experiencing bullying. Bullying commonly included verbal teasing or social exclusion. Survivors and parents reported bullying resulted from peer misunderstanding regarding survivors’ physical or psychological differences or from survivors’ poor social competence. Having proactive parents and close friendships were protective. Programs that increased peer understanding, facilitated friendships and directly targeted bullying reduced or prevented bullying of survivors.
Conclusions
A significant proportion of young survivors experienced bullying on return to school which was associated with poor social and emotional functioning. A coordinated approach between young survivors, their families, treating team and school, combined with opportunities for socialisation and peer education is needed to reduce bullying.