Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to examine social functioning among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) within the first 2 years after a cancer diagnosis and compare their scores with population norms and identify trajectories of social functioning over time and its correlates. METHODS: A multicenter, longitudinal study was conducted among 215 AYA patients with cancer aged 14 to 39 years. A total of 141 patients completed a self-report measure of social functioning within the first 4 months of diagnosis and again at 12 months and 24 months later. RESULTS: AYA patients with cancer were found to have significantly worse social functioning scores around the time of diagnosis (52.0 vs 85.1; P<.001), at the 12-month follow-up (73.1 vs 85.1; P<.001), and at the 24-month follow-up (69.2 vs 85.1; P<.001) when compared with population norms. Significant improvements in social functioning from baseline to the 12-month follow-up were observed; however, social functioning levels remained stable thereafter. Among participants, 9% demonstrated consistently high/normal social functioning, 47% demonstrated improved social functioning, 13% were found to have worsening social functioning, and 32% demonstrated consistently low social functioning. AYA patients with cancer who had consistently low social functioning were more often off treatment at the time of follow-up, reported more physical symptoms and higher levels of distress at baseline and follow-up, and perceived less social support at baseline compared with the other 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although improved over time, social functioning still was found to be compromised 24 months after the primary diagnosis. Nearly one-third of these patients remain at risk of poor social functioning. Reducing physical symptoms and psychological distress and enhancing social support by interventions during the period after treatment may potentially help these young survivors to better reintegrate into society. Cancer 2017;123:2743-51.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2743-2751 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Cancer |
| Volume | 123 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 15 2017 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- adolescent and young adult
- impact of cancer
- psychological distress
- social functioning
- social support
- symptoms
- unmet needs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Cite this
Cancer in adolescents and young adults : Who remains at risk of poor social functioning over time? / Husson, Olga; Zebrack, Bradley J.; Aguilar, Christine; Hayes-Lattin, Brandon; Cole, Steve.
In: Cancer, Vol. 123, No. 14, 15.07.2017, p. 2743-2751.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Cancer in adolescents and young adults
T2 - Who remains at risk of poor social functioning over time?
AU - Husson, Olga
AU - Zebrack, Bradley J.
AU - Aguilar, Christine
AU - Hayes-Lattin, Brandon
AU - Cole, Steve
PY - 2017/7/15
Y1 - 2017/7/15
N2 - BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to examine social functioning among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) within the first 2 years after a cancer diagnosis and compare their scores with population norms and identify trajectories of social functioning over time and its correlates. METHODS: A multicenter, longitudinal study was conducted among 215 AYA patients with cancer aged 14 to 39 years. A total of 141 patients completed a self-report measure of social functioning within the first 4 months of diagnosis and again at 12 months and 24 months later. RESULTS: AYA patients with cancer were found to have significantly worse social functioning scores around the time of diagnosis (52.0 vs 85.1; P<.001), at the 12-month follow-up (73.1 vs 85.1; P<.001), and at the 24-month follow-up (69.2 vs 85.1; P<.001) when compared with population norms. Significant improvements in social functioning from baseline to the 12-month follow-up were observed; however, social functioning levels remained stable thereafter. Among participants, 9% demonstrated consistently high/normal social functioning, 47% demonstrated improved social functioning, 13% were found to have worsening social functioning, and 32% demonstrated consistently low social functioning. AYA patients with cancer who had consistently low social functioning were more often off treatment at the time of follow-up, reported more physical symptoms and higher levels of distress at baseline and follow-up, and perceived less social support at baseline compared with the other 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although improved over time, social functioning still was found to be compromised 24 months after the primary diagnosis. Nearly one-third of these patients remain at risk of poor social functioning. Reducing physical symptoms and psychological distress and enhancing social support by interventions during the period after treatment may potentially help these young survivors to better reintegrate into society. Cancer 2017;123:2743-51.
AB - BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to examine social functioning among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) within the first 2 years after a cancer diagnosis and compare their scores with population norms and identify trajectories of social functioning over time and its correlates. METHODS: A multicenter, longitudinal study was conducted among 215 AYA patients with cancer aged 14 to 39 years. A total of 141 patients completed a self-report measure of social functioning within the first 4 months of diagnosis and again at 12 months and 24 months later. RESULTS: AYA patients with cancer were found to have significantly worse social functioning scores around the time of diagnosis (52.0 vs 85.1; P<.001), at the 12-month follow-up (73.1 vs 85.1; P<.001), and at the 24-month follow-up (69.2 vs 85.1; P<.001) when compared with population norms. Significant improvements in social functioning from baseline to the 12-month follow-up were observed; however, social functioning levels remained stable thereafter. Among participants, 9% demonstrated consistently high/normal social functioning, 47% demonstrated improved social functioning, 13% were found to have worsening social functioning, and 32% demonstrated consistently low social functioning. AYA patients with cancer who had consistently low social functioning were more often off treatment at the time of follow-up, reported more physical symptoms and higher levels of distress at baseline and follow-up, and perceived less social support at baseline compared with the other 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although improved over time, social functioning still was found to be compromised 24 months after the primary diagnosis. Nearly one-third of these patients remain at risk of poor social functioning. Reducing physical symptoms and psychological distress and enhancing social support by interventions during the period after treatment may potentially help these young survivors to better reintegrate into society. Cancer 2017;123:2743-51.
KW - adolescent and young adult
KW - impact of cancer
KW - psychological distress
KW - social functioning
KW - social support
KW - symptoms
KW - unmet needs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021747600&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85021747600&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/cncr.30656
DO - 10.1002/cncr.30656
M3 - Article
VL - 123
SP - 2743
EP - 2751
JO - Cancer
JF - Cancer
SN - 0008-543X
IS - 14
ER -