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Introduction: Assessing the family and social dimensions from the pediatric cancer patient's perspective encounters challenges, as children and adolescents often do not verbally express their needs and experiences related to family and interactions with others. Drawing emerges as a valuable method for psychological evaluation, offering access to the inner world of patients in an enjoyable and non-threatening manner. Objective: To assess the family and social experiences of children and adolescents with cancer.Material and Methods: A qualitative research design with inductive content analysis was utilized. The study included twenty children aged 6-17 years diagnosed with cancer from the Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Data collection involved drawings, observations, and interviews conducted over three individual sessions.Results: Two main categories emerged from the analysis: (1) Family Dimension, encompassing aspects of the family dynamics from the patient's perspective, the patient's needs within the family context, significant figures for the patient, and the patient's perception of parental concerns; and (2) Social Dimension, which covers patients' appreciation for healthcare professionals and their social needs, such as the desire to be with friends, resume everyday life, and achieve goals in life. Conclusions: Drawing is a valid and effective tool for evaluating family and social interactions and needs in children and adolescents with cancer., Introducción: La evaluación de las dimensiones familiar y social desde la perspectiva del paciente oncológico pediátrico posee desafíos, ya que los niños y adolescentes muchas veces no expresan verbalmente sus necesidades y experiencias relacionadas con la familia y las interacciones con los demás. El dibujo surge como un método valioso de evaluación psicológica, ofreciendo acceso al mundo interior de los pacientes de una manera amena y no amenazante.Objetivo: Evaluar las experiencias familiares y sociales de niños y adolescentes con cáncer.Material y Métodos: Se utilizó un diseño de investigación cualitativo con análisis de contenido inductivo. El estudio estuvo conformado por veinte pacientes de 6 a 17 años diagnosticados con cáncer del Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas de Maracaibo, Venezuela. La recolección de datos incluyó dibujos, observaciones y entrevistas realizadas en tres sesiones individuales.Resultados: Del análisis surgieron dos categorías principales: (1) Dimensión Familiar, que abarca aspectos de la dinámica familiar desde la perspectiva del paciente, las necesidades del paciente dentro del contexto familiar, las figuras significativas para el paciente y la percepción del paciente sobre las preocupaciones de sus padres; y (2) Dimensión Social, que comprende el aprecio de los pacientes hacia los profesionales de la salud y sus necesidades sociales, como el deseo de estar con los amigos, reanudar la vida cotidiana y alcanzar metas en la vida.Conclusiones: El dibujo es una herramienta válida y eficaz para evaluar las interacciones y necesidades familiares y sociales en niños y adolescentes con cáncer.

This study assessed the disease experiences in children and adolescents with cancer through an art-based assessment. It used a longitudinal qualitative research design with inductive content analysis. The study included twenty children (6-17 years old) diagnosed with cancer from the Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Maracaibo, Venezuela. The art-based assessment program consisted of 7 individual sessions in which self-image, family relationships, disease perception, child's experiences at the hospital, concerns about the disease and treatment, and positive feelings were evaluated through art exercises. Two main categories emerged from the analysis: (1) Cognitive Dimension, related to awareness and concerns regarding the disease and treatment, as well as patients' ability to take responsibility for their health, and (2) Emotional Dimension, which covers the positive emotional states, such as fighting spirit, affection towards others, happiness, and hope, along with the negative emotional states which include sadness, anxiety-fear, and anger. The results of this research support previous findings indicating that art-based assessment is a valid and effective tool to evaluate thoughts and emotions in children and adolescents with cancer., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published