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Psychosocial Factors Affecting Wellbeing and Sources of Support of Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review

Authors :
Erica R. Timko Olson
Anthony Olson
Megan Driscoll
Donna Z. Bliss
Source :
Nursing Reports, Vol 14, Iss 4, Pp 4006-4021 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To identify and analyze what is known about the psychosocial factors affecting the wellbeing and sources of support of young adult (YA) cancer survivors. Methods: The search strategy included Neoplasms, young adults, psycho* or emotional well* or mental health. The OVID Medline and CINAHL databases were searched. Included were cancer survivors (YA) ages 18–39 at the time of the study. The studies included qualitative and quantitative designs, written in English, and published between January 2016 and October 2024. The results were recorded according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Thirteen studies with 4992 participants found psychosocial factors to be the most important influence on life satisfaction with social support the most decisive factor. This expands the results of previous reviews by including a variety of study designs and data collection tools to provide a comprehensive understanding of the YA experience. Psychosocial concerns affecting wellbeing led to social isolation, low connectedness with family and friends, and significant distress. Consistent with previous reviews, the greatest challenges to wellbeing were psychosocial needs, which included seeking and delivering information that is easy to understand but detailed, which can decrease frustration and anger, and needs to be readily available and accessible. Unlike older adult cancer survivors, YA survivors are more likely to have reduced psychosocial functioning compared to their peers and suffer from higher distress than their adult peers and non-YA cancer survivors with anxiety as the most reported symptom. Conclusions: Interventions need to be developed that lessen the impact of a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatments. The specific needs of YAs must be further researched and evaluated to determine specific interventions and the support needed during this crucial stage of cancer survivorship. Future research must also increase the focus on the racial and ethnic diversity of participants as well as prioritizing underserved populations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20394403 and 2039439X
Volume :
14
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Nursing Reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b4c2320ef2a544029017b6bc3fabbf64
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14040293