Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Background Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors experience unique psychosocial needs during remission. Cancer-related anxiety is endemic amongst AYA survivors and can impede upon the survivor’s life post-cancer treatment. Independent of one another, confiding in a social support system and frequent engagement in coping mechanisms benefit those throughout the cancer experience, leading to more positive psychosocial outcomes. Hypothesis The dual utilization of one’s social support network and coping mechanisms would reduce cancer-related anxiety in AYA cancer survivors. Methods This study’s data was derived from a prior study conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, consisting of 128 adolescent and young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 14 to 20 years old. Results No conclusive evidence supported the hypothesis; however, data suggested that sole social support was an influential predictor of alleviating anxiety amongst survivors. AYA cancer survivors were more likely to engage in avoidant forms of coping. Females were more likely than males to report intrusive symptoms, confide in their social support network and invest in close friends as a coping mechanism. Conclusion Educating survivors on various forms of adaptive intrapersonal coping would benefit them during this transition after cancer treatment.
Author: Genevieve Durso
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3185272178