Katja Leuteritz1, Michael Friedrich1, Annekathrin Sender1, Erik Nowe2, Yve Stoebel-Richter3,4, Kristina Geue1. 1. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 2. Medical Clinic II, Hospital St. Elisabeth and St. Barbara Halle Saale, Halle Saale, Germany. 3. Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Goerlitz, Zittau/Goerlitz, Germany. 4. Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) Adiposity Diseases-Behavioral Medicine, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Being diagnosed with and treated for cancer often has a strong impact on the life satisfaction (LS) of adolescents and young adults (AYAs). The current study investigated LS in AYA patients with cancer and determined associated factors. METHODS: Young patients (those aged 18-39 years at the time of diagnosis) with all malignant cancer sites and with a diagnosis made within the last 4 years were assessed. LS was measured at 2 measuring time points using the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ-M). Differences in the FLZ-M and the 10 subdomains (friends/acquaintances, leisure activities/hobbies, health, income/financial security, work/profession, housing situation, family life, children/family planning, partnership, and sexuality) between the 2 time points were calculated. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with LS. RESULTS: A total of 514 patients (386 of whom were women) with a mean age at diagnosis of 29.6 years participated at both measurements. LS increased significantly in 5 domains with a small effect (Hedges g, 0.17) noted over time. The subdomains with the lowest LS were financial and professional situation, family planning, and sexuality. Significant associations with LS were found at baseline for sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial variables (explained variance [R2 ]baseline = 0.41). At follow-up, psychosocial factors (positive social support, not having detrimental interactions, and lower perceived adjustment to the disease) remained most important for higher LS controlled for LS at baseline. Neither sociodemographic (except partnership) nor medical factors played a role (R2 follow-up = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Of all the variables examined, social support was found to be the most decisive factor associated with LS at both time points. With regard to LS, social support and adjustment to illness should be given more consideration in the medical care of AYA patients with cancer.
BACKGROUND: Being diagnosed with and treated for cancer often has a strong impact on the life satisfaction (LS) of adolescents and young adults (AYAs). The current study investigated LS in AYA patients with cancer and determined associated factors. METHODS: Young patients (those aged 18-39 years at the time of diagnosis) with all malignant cancer sites and with a diagnosis made within the last 4 years were assessed. LS was measured at 2 measuring time points using the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ-M). Differences in the FLZ-M and the 10 subdomains (friends/acquaintances, leisure activities/hobbies, health, income/financial security, work/profession, housing situation, family life, children/family planning, partnership, and sexuality) between the 2 time points were calculated. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with LS. RESULTS: A total of 514 patients (386 of whom were women) with a mean age at diagnosis of 29.6 years participated at both measurements. LS increased significantly in 5 domains with a small effect (Hedges g, 0.17) noted over time. The subdomains with the lowest LS were financial and professional situation, family planning, and sexuality. Significant associations with LS were found at baseline for sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial variables (explained variance [R2 ]baseline = 0.41). At follow-up, psychosocial factors (positive social support, not having detrimental interactions, and lower perceived adjustment to the disease) remained most important for higher LS controlled for LS at baseline. Neither sociodemographic (except partnership) nor medical factors played a role (R2 follow-up = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Of all the variables examined, social support was found to be the most decisive factor associated with LS at both time points. With regard to LS, social support and adjustment to illness should be given more consideration in the medical care of AYA patients with cancer.
Keywords:
adolescent; adolescent and young adult (AYA); cancer; life domains; life satisfaction; longitudinal; oncology; prospective; quality of life; survivor
Authors: Dide den Hollander; Winette T A Van der Graaf; Marco Fiore; Bernd Kasper; Susanne Singer; Ingrid M E Desar; Olga Husson Journal: ESMO Open Date: 2020-10
Authors: Katja Leuteritz; Diana Richter; Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf; Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg; Andreas Hinz Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2021-07-18 Impact factor: 4.147