Learning Objective #1: understand how adolescents with cancer quantitatively evaluate their quality of life using this survey instrument.

Learning Objective #2: discuss how a teen-specific weekend retreat impacts quality of life for this underserved population.

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Background: Adolescents with cancer are at a developmental stage where they need to share experiences and develop personal bonds with others in similar situations. Previous research has documented cancer treatments do effect quality of life (QoL). Adolescents are capable of self-evaluating and have a unique perspective of their QoL. While instruments that assess QoL are plentiful, few obtain data directly from this underserved and at-risk population. This study aims to further develop the Adolescent QoL instrument (AQoL) and determine if the instrument is capable of detecting QoL change, over time. Significance: The impact of a weekend retreat, designed specifically for the adolescent with cancer, is unknown. This study will obtain data directly from the adolescent with cancer, allowing them to self-evaluate their QoL before and after the weekend. Purpose: Data obtained will determine the effects of the weekend on QoL. These data will also provide statistical analysis to be performed on the AQoL instrument to determine sensitivity of the items. Framework: Data were collected using the previously tested AQoL survey. Initial testing has determined that this 17 item Likert-scaled instrument has adequate reliability (r=.77), may be completed in 10 minutes and without assistance. Methodology: Using a longitudinal design, data were collected before, immediately after and one month after the weekend. Appropriate statistical methods were used to analyze these data. Results: When comparing scores over time, using each adolescent as their own control, the AQoL scores statistically changed immediately after the weekend, but lost significance over time. Conclusions: Interventions provided by the weekend initially positively impacted their QoL, but this improvement was lost over time. Implications: This unique population needs on-going interventions which support the programs presented at the weekend retreat. This vulnerable population, who may survive their disease, needs interventions to maintain self-esteem and develop interpersonal relationships with peers.