Aspects of friendship amongst adolescents suffering from diabetes and cancer

Abstract

This paper analyzes certain aspects of friendships amongst adolescents with diabetes mellitus and cancer, including a record of the reaction to the diagnosis, in addition to companionship, self-disclosure and intimacy, social support, conflict and the expectations from a friendship. Twelve participants were interviewed, including three with diabetes and three of their friends, and three individuals who had cancer and three friends. These friendships were largely similar to typical friendships, particularly in terms of companionship and the existence of conflict. On the other hand, the diabetes or cancer seem to affect some aspects of friendship. Social support becomes more important and asymmetric. Self-disclosure and intimacy are more tentative when it comes to the subject of the disease. The expectations of friendship emphasize social support. Our data also suggest that friends may grow apart or become closer as a result of a chronic disease such as cancer or diabetes.

Adolescent; Friendship; Chronic illness