April 4-6, 2024 • Hyatt Regency • Lexington, KY
Innovations in Health Communication
Innovations in Health Communication
Abstract: Predictors of Quality of Life for Survivors of Pediatric Cancer
Purpose: Adolescents and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer have higher rates of depression and anxiety than their healthy counterparts and often struggle with late effects as a result of their cancer treatment. AYA survivors are a sample that may benefit from increased social support to manage effects of cancer treatment. The goal of this study was to assess gaps in the quality of life (QoL) of AYA cancers to guide interventions to better support AYAs in their survivorship.
Method: Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (n = 62, 52% female, Mage 27.31, SD = 6.38 years) were recruited from an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center on the east coast and completed an electronic survey that assessed unmet needs. Participants self-reported as Caucasian (77%), Black (10%), Asian (7%); non-Hispanic (87%), and Hispanic (13%). Participants completed an online survey that included both Likert-type measures and an open-ended item. Survey measures included PROMIS Quality of Life (Cella et al., 2010), PROMIS Family Relationships (Bevans et al., 2017), PROMIS Peer Relationships (DeWalt et al., 2013), and the PTSD Checklist-civilian version (PCL-C; adapted by Lang & Stein, 2005). The open-ended question asked, “What are the main three things that have helped you get through treatment and deal with your cancer?” Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS 29.0, and qualitative data were coded via content analysis.
Results: Results of a linear regression predicting survivor quality of life found that closer relationships with family (t = 2.14, p = .04) and friends (t = 3.20, p = .003) and less post-traumatic stress symptoms (t = -2.00, p = .05) positively predict improved quality of life (F(3,41) = 11.58, p < .001). Content analysis results revealed four major themes that participants reported as entities that helped them get through their treatment and deal with cancer: Family (31%), Friends (14%), Healthcare Team (12%), and Inner Strength/Resilience (10%).
Discussion: Participant regression results and qualitative accounts support the importance of strong social support from family and particularly friends for adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Participant perceptions of being able to count on and be accepted by friends and the ability to connect with and talk with friends demonstrated a particularly strong, positive predictor of participant quality of life. Results also highlight the challenges of post-traumatic stress symptoms in negatively impacting survivor quality of life and suggest such symptoms are an important target for intervention. Future research must further examine ways in which family and friends can optimally provide support.
Method: Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (n = 62, 52% female, Mage 27.31, SD = 6.38 years) were recruited from an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center on the east coast and completed an electronic survey that assessed unmet needs. Participants self-reported as Caucasian (77%), Black (10%), Asian (7%); non-Hispanic (87%), and Hispanic (13%). Participants completed an online survey that included both Likert-type measures and an open-ended item. Survey measures included PROMIS Quality of Life (Cella et al., 2010), PROMIS Family Relationships (Bevans et al., 2017), PROMIS Peer Relationships (DeWalt et al., 2013), and the PTSD Checklist-civilian version (PCL-C; adapted by Lang & Stein, 2005). The open-ended question asked, “What are the main three things that have helped you get through treatment and deal with your cancer?” Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS 29.0, and qualitative data were coded via content analysis.
Results: Results of a linear regression predicting survivor quality of life found that closer relationships with family (t = 2.14, p = .04) and friends (t = 3.20, p = .003) and less post-traumatic stress symptoms (t = -2.00, p = .05) positively predict improved quality of life (F(3,41) = 11.58, p < .001). Content analysis results revealed four major themes that participants reported as entities that helped them get through their treatment and deal with cancer: Family (31%), Friends (14%), Healthcare Team (12%), and Inner Strength/Resilience (10%).
Discussion: Participant regression results and qualitative accounts support the importance of strong social support from family and particularly friends for adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Participant perceptions of being able to count on and be accepted by friends and the ability to connect with and talk with friends demonstrated a particularly strong, positive predictor of participant quality of life. Results also highlight the challenges of post-traumatic stress symptoms in negatively impacting survivor quality of life and suggest such symptoms are an important target for intervention. Future research must further examine ways in which family and friends can optimally provide support.