Psychologists Working with Adolescent Cancer Patients: Exploring Their Emotional and Relational Experience

Despite the important role played by psychologists working with adolescent cancer patients in addressing adolescent-specific issues, there are still few data concerning their professional, emotional, and relational experience. This exploratory qualitative study examined the professional, emotional, and relational experiences of 20 psychologists (aged 27–66) working with adolescents with cancer in various Italian pediatric oncology units, who were administered an open-ended questionnaire. Data 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 well-being 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 well-being and the quality of care provided to young patients.