R3 Part IV Abstract

Abstract - R3 Part 4

Research has suggested that adult survivors of childhood brain tumor face increased levels of unemployment compared to siblings and members of the general population. To date, the research regarding employment of cancer survivors has focused almost exclusively on reporting and comparing employment rates and occupational types. Little has been published regarding potential career psychological factors that may impact and drive vocational behavior and employment. Career readiness is one psychological construct that can be applied to examine the cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors that impact career decision making, problem solving, and ultimately successful employment. This construct applies across vocations and can be evaluated in individuals who are looking for work, who are unemployed or who are employed. This project proposes to use a sample of Central Nervous System (CNS) childhood cancer survivors to describe career readiness among adult survivors of childhood brain tumor. To date, we have not been able to identify any studies that evaluated career readiness, or any other psychological career variables, in adult survivors of childhood brain tumor. Our study is novel in that we are the first to explore this critical issue of career readiness with adult survivors of childhood brain tumor. Our study will provide critical information that will advance the understanding of career and employment issues of adult survivors of childhood brain tumor. The study also has the potential to provide the foundation for the development of a clinically based career intervention that can be implemented to increase the level of career development and employment of adult childhood brain tumor survivors.