The Professional, Emotional, and Relational Experience of Psychologists Working With Adolescent Cancer Patients

Despite the important role played by psychologists working with adolescent cancer patients in addressing adolescent-specific issues, there are few data concerning their professional, emotional, and relational experience. Using an open-ended questionnaire, this exploratory qualitative study examined the professional, emotional, and relational experiences of 20 psychologists (aged 27–66) working with adolescents in various Italian pediatric oncology units. Responses were analyzed through a step-by-step qualitative content analysis to identify recurring themes related to clinical practice, relational and intervention approaches, emotional experiences, and professional needs. Findings revealed that participants provide psychological support through individualized, specific, and targeted interventions characterized by an empathic approach, active listening, and emotional closeness. Psychologists reported experiencing contrasting emotions (enthusiasm, compassion, and fulfillment, but also frustration, helplessness, and sadness), especially when dealing with issues such as loss of autonomy, disease progression, or death. Despite the emotional strain, most professionals perceived their work as meaningful and enriching. A need consistently emerged for continuous emotional processing, collegial dialogue, and supervision, to support the psychologists’ psychological wellbeing and strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration. Participants also emphasized the importance of targeted training to enhance their competence in working with adolescents with cancer. Overall, the study highlights the lived experience and emotional landscape of psychologists working in pediatric oncology and underscores their contribution to adolescent care from a bio-psycho-social perspective. Supporting psychologists’ emotional resilience and professional growth is essential for promoting both clinician wellbeing and the quality of care provided to young patients.