The impact of a personal cancer diagnosis on adolescent and young adult cancer survivors' social connectedness: A qualitative analysis. J Health Psychol 2025 Aug;30(9):2216-2231
Date
01/31/2025Pubmed ID
39887965Pubmed Central ID
PMC12704164DOI
10.1177/13591053241311977Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85216723211 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
Adolescent/young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) are diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years of age. Improving AYACS' survivorship quality is crucial-including improving social connectedness, a construct describing the quality, structure and function of social relationships. With better understanding of AYACS' social connectedness, network-based interventions can be developed to foster social health. This study explored how a personal cancer diagnosis impacts AYACS' social connectedness among 35 AYACS 15-25 years old. Three themes emerged through thematic analysis: (1) AYACS experience substantial heterogeneity related to social support needs; (2) AYACS leverage multiple relationships and resources when seeking support after a personal cancer diagnosis; (3) AYACS' individual experiences were unique in that some noted positive changes, whereas others noted negative changes in relationships within social networks, specifically with peers. These findings create a foundation to develop social programming, foster peer relationships, and incorporate social science methods to aid intervention development to strengthen AYACS' social connectedness.
Author List
Rao P, Segel JE, Bingen K, Devine KA, Scott AM, Koehly LM, Verdery AM, Rumbaugh CL, Wasserman E, Costigan HJ, Dandekar S, Rakszawski K, Songdej N, Blackall GF, Vasekar M, Naik S, Lengerich EJ, Van Scoy LJAuthor
Kristin M. Bingen PhD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Cancer Survivors
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Neoplasms
Qualitative Research
Social Support
Young Adult
