Yoonji Kim1, Anamara Ritt-Olson2, Jessica Tobin3, Marcie Haydon4, Joel Milam5,4. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. yoonjik4@uci.edu. 2. School of Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. 3. VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 4. Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study investigated the correlates of well-being with psychosocial and clinical factors in young adult childhood cancer survivors (YACCS) above and beyond depressive symptoms. METHODS: Participants were from the Project Forward Cohort, a population-based study of young adult survivors of childhood cancers. Participants (n = 1166, Mage = 25.1 years) were recruited through the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program (Cancer Registry covering Los Angeles County). A majority received a diagnosis of leukemia (36.1%) or lymphoma (21.7%). Participants completed self-reported questionnaires at one timepoint. Multiple regression analyses were performed with well-being as the outcome variable and psychosocial and clinical variables (social support, sense of adulthood, posttraumatic growth, treatment intensity, and self-rated health) as the independent variables. Covariates included demographics (age, gender, relationship status, race/ethnicity) and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In the multivariable model, posttraumatic growth, social support, sense of adulthood, and self-rated health were significantly associated with well-being (all ps < .05), when controlling for depressive symptoms. Treatment intensity and years since diagnosis were not significantly associated with well-being, when controlling for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There are unique correlates of well-being above and beyond depressive symptoms among YACCS. This finding illuminates individual differences that may be associated with well-being and provides targets for intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Psychosocial interventions and survivorship care for YACCS should consider the broad aspects of well-being, independent of depressive symptoms.
PURPOSE: This study investigated the correlates of well-being with psychosocial and clinical factors in young adult childhood cancer survivors (YACCS) above and beyond depressive symptoms. METHODS: Participants were from the Project Forward Cohort, a population-based study of young adult survivors of childhood cancers. Participants (n = 1166, Mage = 25.1 years) were recruited through the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program (Cancer Registry covering Los Angeles County). A majority received a diagnosis of leukemia (36.1%) or lymphoma (21.7%). Participants completed self-reported questionnaires at one timepoint. Multiple regression analyses were performed with well-being as the outcome variable and psychosocial and clinical variables (social support, sense of adulthood, posttraumatic growth, treatment intensity, and self-rated health) as the independent variables. Covariates included demographics (age, gender, relationship status, race/ethnicity) and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In the multivariable model, posttraumatic growth, social support, sense of adulthood, and self-rated health were significantly associated with well-being (all ps < .05), when controlling for depressive symptoms. Treatment intensity and years since diagnosis were not significantly associated with well-being, when controlling for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There are unique correlates of well-being above and beyond depressive symptoms among YACCS. This finding illuminates individual differences that may be associated with well-being and provides targets for intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Psychosocial interventions and survivorship care for YACCS should consider the broad aspects of well-being, independent of depressive symptoms.
Authors: Joel E Milam; Kathleen Meeske; Rhona I Slaughter; Sandra Sherman-Bien; Anamara Ritt-Olson; Aura Kuperberg; David R Freyer; Ann S Hamilton Journal: Cancer Date: 2014-10-23 Impact factor: 6.860