Impact of self-management and functioning on the career development of young adult CNS Survivors

PURPOSE: This paper examines individual's perceptions of emotional and physical functioning and self-management on career development. DESIGN: A cross-sectional mediation design. SAMPLE: 81 young adult survivors of childhood cancer (M = 18.90, SD = 0.97) diagnosed with a brain tumor prior to the age of 18. METHODS: Multiple regression and correlation were used examine if physical and emotional functioning mediates symptom management on job awareness, job acquisition, and job maintenance. FINDINGS: Symptom management was associated with approximately 0.16 points higher job awareness scores as mediated by emotional functioning, 0.11 points higher job acquisition scores as mediated by emotional functioning, and 0.16 points higher job maintenance scores as mediated by physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Physical and emotional functioning have a differential impact on specific career development factors suggesting the need to develop specific targeted career and vocational interventions.