Emotional and personality characteristics and coping orientation in schoolchildren with oncohematological disorders

Context and relevance. Oncohematological disorders in childhood are associated with prolonged hospitalization, invasive treatment, restrictions on usual activities, and increased emotional strain. Under these conditions, coping orientation may serve as one of the indicators of a child’s psychological adaptation. Objective. To examine the relationship between emotional and personality characteristics and coping orientation in children of primary school age with oncohematological disorders. Hypothesis. It was assumed that there would be statistically significant relationships between children's emotional and personality characteristics and the orientation of their coping strategies. Methods and materials. The study involved 20 children aged 6–11 years (M = 9,05; SD = 1,39) receiving treatment in pediatric oncology and hematology departments. The Children’s Picture-Frustration Study by S. Rosenzweig, a personality questionnaire for children, the Personal Anxiety Scale, and the “Aggressive Behavior”, “Incomplete Sentences”, and “Ladder” techniques were used. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was applied. Results. Extrapunitive responses, interpreted as a “moving against people” orientation, predominated in 55% of the children, while impunitive responses, associated with a “moving toward people” orientation, predominated in 45%; no dominant intropunitive responses were identified. Extrapunitive responses were positively associated with direct verbal aggression (Rs = 0,497; p = 0,026) and a more strained perception of the family’s attitude toward the illness (Rs = 0,596; p = 0,006). Impunitive responses were negatively associated with these variables, while intropunitive responses were negatively associated with attitudes toward hospitalization (Rs = –0,613; p = 0,004) and the overall level of emotional manifestations (Rs = –0,503; p = 0,024). Conclusions. Coping orientation is associated with aggression, emotional manifestations, and the child’s subjective perception of the family and treatment context of the illness.

1. Абдуллина, С.В., Катунова, В.В. (2024). Особенности копинг-стратегий детей младшего школьного возраста. Мир педагогики и психологии: международный научно-практический журнал, 11(100). URL: https://scipress.ru/pedagogy/articles/osobennosti-koping-strategij-detej-mladshego-shkolnogo-vozrasta.html (дата обращения: 18.09.2025).
   Abdullina, S.V., Katunova, V.V. (2024). Features of coping strategies of primary school children. World of Pedagogy and Psychology: International Scientific and Practical Journal, 11(100). (In Russ.). URL: https://scipress.ru/pedagogy/articles/osobennosti-koping-strategij-detej-mladshego-shkolnogo-vozrasta.html (viewed: 18.09.2025).
2. Александрова, О.В., Богданова, Е.И., Мамаенко, Ю.В. (2019). Совладающее поведение и родительско-детское взаимодействие матерей, находящихся на разных этапах онкологического заболевания ребенка. Герценовские чтения: психологические исследования в образовании, 2, 39—45. https://doi.org/10.33910/herzenpsyconf-2019-2-4
   Aleksandrova, O.V., Bogdanova, E.I., Mamaenko, Yu.V. (2019). Coping behavior and parent-child interaction of mothers at different stages of a child's oncological disease. Herzen Readings: Psychological Research in Education, 2, 39—45. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33910/herzenpsyconf-2019-2-4
3. Вассина, Т.В. (2022). Взаимосвязь привязанности к матери и механизмов психологической защиты детей младшего школьного возраста. Вестник науки, 4(11(56)), 196—209. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vzaimosvyaz-privyazannosti-k-materi-i-mehanizmov-psihologicheskoy-zaschity-detey-mladshego-shkolnogo-vozrasta (дата обращения: 30.06.2024).
   Vassina, T.V. (2022). The relationship between attachment to the mother and psychological defense mechanisms of primary school children. Bulletin of Science, 4(11(56)), 196—209. (In Russ.). URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vzaimosvyaz-privyazannosti-k-materi-i-mehanizmov-psihologicheskoy-zaschity-detey-mladshego-shkolnogo-vozrasta (viewed: 30.06.2024).
4. Данилова, Е.Е. (1997). Детский тест рисуночной фрустрации С. Розенцвейга. М.: МГПМСЦ.
   Danilova, E.E. (1997). Children's Picture-Frustration Test by S. Rosenzweig. Moscow: MGPMSC. (In Russ.).
5. Ильин, Е.П. (2014). Психология агрессивного поведения. СПб.: Питер.
   Ilyin, E.P. (2014). Psychology of aggressive behavior. St. Petersburg: Piter. (In Russ.).
6. Исаев, Д.Н., Каган, В.Е. (Ред.). (1991). Психодиагностические методы в педиатрии и детской психоневрологии: учебное пособие. СПб.: ПМИ.
   Isaev, D.N., Kagan, V.E. (Eds.). (1991). Psychodiagnostic Methods in Pediatrics and Child Psychoneurology: Textbook. St. Petersburg: PMI. (In Russ.).
7. Крюкова, Т.Л. (2008). Человек как субъект совладающего поведения. Психологический журнал, 29(2), 88—95. URL: https://psy.jes.su/s0205-95920000617-5-1-ru-32/ (дата обращения: 26.09.2025).
   Kryukova, T.L. (2008). Human as a subject of coping behavior. Psychological Journal, 29(2), 88—95. (In Russ.). URL: https://psy.jes.su/s0205-95920000617-5-1-ru-32/ (viewed: 26.09.2025).
8. Куфтяк, Е.В. (2012). Факторы становления совладающего поведения в детском и подростковом возрасте. Психологические исследования, 5(22). https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v5i786
   Kuftyak, E.V. (2012). Factors in the development of coping behavior in childhood and adolescence. Psychological Studies, 5(22). (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v5i22.786
9. Лапкина, Е.В. (2015). Проблема связи совладающего и защитного поведения. Ярославский педагогический вестник, 4, 201—205. URL: https://vestnik.yspu.org/releases/2015_4/34.pdf (дата обращения: 20.06.2026).
   Lapkina, E.V. (2015). The relationship between coping and defensive behavior. Yaroslavl Pedagogical Bulletin, 4, 201—205. (In Russ.). URL: https://vestnik.yspu.org/releases/2015_4/34.pdf (viewed: 20.06.2026).
10. Обердерфер, А.В., Буторин, Г.Г. (2009). Изучение психологического статуса детей с онкогематологическими заболеваниями. Сибирский вестник психиатрии и наркологии, 1(52), 68—71. URL: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=12533480 (дата обращения: 24.04.2025).
    Oberderfer, A.V., Butorin, G.G. (2009). Study of the psychological status of children with oncohematological diseases. Siberian Bulletin of Psychiatry and Narcology, 1(52), 68—71. (In Russ.). URL: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=12533480 (viewed: 24.04.2025).
11. Панасюк, А.Ю. (1977). Адаптированный вариант личностного опросника для детей: методическая разработка для специалистов и студентов. Ленинград: Ленинградский педиатрический медицинский институт.
    Panasyuk, A.Yu. (1977). Adapted Version of a Personality Questionnaire for Children: Methodological Guide for Specialists and Students. Leningrad: Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute. (In Russ.).
12. Прихожан, А.М. (2009). Психология тревожности: дошкольный и школьный возраст (2-е изд.). СПб.: Питер.
    Prikhozhan, A.M. (2009). Psychology of Anxiety: Preschool and School Age (2nd ed.). Saint Petersburg: Piter. (In Russ.).
13. Рассказова, Е.И., Гордеева, Т.О. (2011). Копинг-стратегии в психологии стресса: подходы, методы и перспективы исследований. Психологические исследования, 4(17). https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v4i850
    Rasskazova, E.I., Gordeeva, T.O. (2011). Coping strategies in stress psychology: Approaches, methods, and research perspectives. Psychological Studies, 4(17). (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v4i17.850
14. Ушакова, В.Р. (2021). Переживания в отношении болезни у детей с хроническими соматическими заболеваниями. Проблемы современного образования, 3, 70—80. https://doi.org/10.31862/2218-8711-2021-3-70-80
    Ushakova, V.R. (2021). Illness-related experiences in children with chronic somatic diseases. Problems of Modern Education, 3, 70—80. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31862/2218-8711-2021-3-70-80
15. Хорни, К. (2008). Наши внутренние конфликты: Конструктивная теория невроза (2-е изд.). М.: Академический проект.
    Horney, K. (2008). Our inner conflicts: A constructive theory of neurosis (2nd ed.). Moscow: Akademicheskii Proekt. (In Russ.).
16. Щур, В.Г. (1982). Методика изучения представлений ребенка об отношении к нему других людей. В: В.В. Давыдов (ред.), Психология личности: теория и эксперимент (с. 108—114). М.: Педагогика.
    Shchur, V.G. (1982). A method for studying children’s perceptions of other people’s attitudes toward them. In: V.V. Davydov (Ed.), Personality psychology: Theory and experiment (pp. 108—114). Moscow: Pedagogika. (In Russ.).
17. Folkman, S. (2010). Stress, coping, and hope. Psycho-Oncology, 19(9), 901—908. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1836
18. Horney, K. (1945). Our Inner Conflicts: A Constructive Theory of Neurosis. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
19. Koutná, V., Blatný, M. (2020). Socialization of coping in pediatric oncology settings: Theoretical consideration on parent–child connections in posttraumatic growth. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 554325. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.554325
20. Lazarus, R.S. (1993). Coping theory and research: Past, present, and future. Psychosomatic Medicine, 55(3), 234—247. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199305000-00002
21. Lazarus, R.S., Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
22. Padillo-Andicoberry, A., de Asís Díaz-Beato, F., Sánchez-Lissen, E., Romero-Pérez, C. (2025a). Short-Term Effects of Hospital Schooling on the Resilience of Hospitalised Children. Continuity in Education, 6(1), 104—120. https://doi.org/10.5334/cie.172
23. Padillo-Andicoberry, A., de Asís Díaz-Beato, F., Sánchez-Lissen, E., Romero-Pérez, C. (2025b). The role of hospital school education in reducing anxiety among hospitalized children. Frontiers in Education, 10, Article 1601988. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1601988
24. Rossman, B.B.R. (1992). School-age children’s perceptions of coping with distress: Strategies for emotion regulation and the moderation of adjustment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 33(8), 1373—1397. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1992.tb00957.x
25. Russell, E., O’Reilly, J., Blome, C., et al. (2024). Moving away from, moving towards and moving against others: An adaptive multi-strategy approach to defend and build resources in self-protection mode. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 155, Article 104052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2024.104052
26. Ryan, N.M. (1989). Stress-coping strategies identified from school-age children’s perspective. Research in Nursing & Health, 12(2), 111—122. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770120208
27. Tremolada, M., Tasso, G., Bonichini, S., Taverna, L., Tumino, M., Putti, M.C., Biffi, A., Pillon, M. (2022). Pain coping strategies in paediatric patients newly diagnosed with leukaemia compared with healthy peers. European Journal of Cancer Care, 31(3), Article e13575. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13575