Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

Emerging and young adult caregivers (EYACs) who provide care to their parents are a hidden, unsupported population of caregivers. Research identifies information sharing or withholding as a key aspect of caregivers' ability to cope and adjust, which may be especially critical when a parent is diagnosed with advanced cancer. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of parent information sharing/withholding on EYACs' caregiving and coping experiences. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 33 EYACs between the ages of 18-35 who cared for a parent that died of advanced cancer...

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that invasive medical treatment, such as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT), can be stressful and potentially traumatic for children, leading to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) after treatment. Despite this evidence, little is known about the patterns of stress and trauma that develop throughout the HSCT admission. PURPOSE: To examine patterns of toxic stress and trauma that develop throughout the pediatric HSCT admission and understand how music therapists, as members of the interdisciplinary psychosocial care team, may proactively intervene to mitigate the impact of traumatic experiences...

PURPOSE: To describe the social support experiences of Hispanic/Latino parents while caregiving for childhood cancer survivors. RESEARCH APPROACH: Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted among 15 caregivers from a safety-net hospital in Los Angeles. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze data. FINDINGS: The positive influence of social support throughout their caregiving experience included (1) sharing information-enhanced knowledge, (2) receiving comfort and encouragement, (3) receiving tangible assistance reducing the caregiving burden, and (4) enhancing caregiving empowerment/self-efficacy...

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of moderate to high levels of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in cancer survivors may vary from 22% to 87%, although most are not usually referred to psychosocial support. The After Cancer Treatment Transition (ACTT) clinic in Women's College Hospital (Toronto) provides follow-up care to cancer survivors but in a sample of 2893 patients seen April 2019 to March 2022, only 1.5% were referred to a social worker for psychosocial needs. A single-question screening tool is currently available to screen for FCR...

Objective: Despite more women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), this population is underrepresented in cancer survivorship research. Few studies have assessed how women with MBC cope with their cancer experience. This qualitative study describes the coping strategies and psychosocial resources utilized by women living with MBC. Methods: Twenty-two women with MBC participated in four focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed using a general inductive approach. Codes derived from participants' responses were subsequently condensed into themes...

PURPOSE: To describe differences in post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms over time among racial and ethnic minoritized breast cancer survivors (BCS) with comorbid diabetes. DESIGN: In a multisite longitudinal study, post-traumatic stress was evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months through self-reported questionnaires (Impact of Events Scale-Revised [IES-R]). PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-eight post-treatment BCS with diabetes were recruited from three tertiary medical centers...

BACKGROUND: Responding to calls for additional research that identifies effective distress screening (DS) processes, including referral practices subsequent to screening and receipt of recommended care, we engaged in qualitative research as part of a larger (mixed methods) study of distress screening. This qualitative inquiry of oncology professionals across different facilities in the United States examined routine DS implementation, facilitators and challenges staff encounter with DS processes, and staff members' perceived value of DS...

PURPOSE: Cancer disrupts the social lives of adolescents and young adults (AYA). Social media may be a resource to engage with social networks, seek entertainment, and receive social support. However, some aspects of social media engagement may be emotionally burdensome and sensitive for AYA to navigate. The aim of this qualitative study was to contextualize the impact of cancer on AYA social media interaction. METHODS: Eight AYA ages 15-21 years and recently diagnosed with cancer participated in a semi-structured interview...

OBJECTIVES: Pandemic-induced anxiety can have adverse mental and somatic health consequences on cancer patients (CP). This study aimed to (1) explore the intricate relationships between worry related to potential SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 perception, sociodemographic factors, and the perceived effectiveness of lockdown measures and (2) investigate if these relationships differ between cancer patients and individuals without a history of cancer (IWHC). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative study in France between December 1 and 14, 2020...

There needs to be a consensus regarding the definition of body image in oncology the literature. This lack of agreement leads to conflicting results in psychosocial interventions aimed to improve body image among breast cancer patients. Through an instrumentalist approach, this systematic review aims to analyze how body image as a concept is described and operationalized in breast cancer studies with the focus to enhance body image through psychosocial interventions. Databases were searched in October 2022 and updated in February 2023 to find empirical studies reporting psychosocial intervention targeting body image efficacy...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the status of demoralization syndrome among cancer patients and explore the key factors influencing demoralization syndrome. METHOD: Cross-sectional study design of cancer patients in Xiamen, China. Patients completed the Mandarin version of the Perceived Social Support Scale, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures, The Anderson Symptom Inventory, and the Demoralization Scale. FINDINGS: 187/199 (94%) of patients completed questionnaires...

OBJECTIVE: This study compared three ethnic/racial groups of informal cancer caregivers on social determinants of health and tested social determinants of health as predictors of psychological distress and caregiver burden. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data of a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) testing symptom management interventions with caregiver-survivor dyads. Caregivers completed baseline measures of social determinants of health (SDoH), functional limitations, psychological distress, and caregiver burden...

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify links between caregiver hope, caregiver coping behaviors, and caregivers' coaching versus dismissing emotion socialization (ES) beliefs in a pediatric cancer sample. Design: Self-report measures. Sample: Caregivers ( N  = 183, 80.20% mothers; 58.5% white; 32.2% Hispanic) of youth undergoing cancer treatment (51.10% hematological malignancy, 15.30% brain or spinal [CNS] tumor, and 25.14% non-CNS solid tumor) for at least six weeks. Method: We used a series of mediation models to examine links between caregivers' coping behaviors, hope, and ES beliefs...

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine (1) whether ovarian cancer (OC) survivors would have greater well-being vs. elevated distress compared to community members during a universal health stressor (COVID-19) and (2) how resources and risk factors at diagnosis predicted vulnerability to a subsequent health-related stressor. METHODS: One hundred seventeen OC survivors were recruited from two academic medical centers and compared to a community-based sample on COVID-related distress and disruption...

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related stigma impacts patients' emotional health, care engagement, and cancer outcomes, but few measures of cancer stigma exist. We culturally adapted and assessed psychometric properties of the Cataldo Cancer Stigma Scale (CCSS) in Tanzania. METHODS: We administered the CCSS short version (21 items), plus 12 locally-derived items, to 146 adult cancer patients. We conducted exploratory factor analysis, examined internal consistency/reliability, and assessed convergent validity with relevant measures...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of mobile ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) for youth with craniopharyngioma and evaluate daily associations among family functioning, affect, and sleep difficulties. DESIGN/RESEARCH APPROACH: Youth completed two mEMA diaries per day for one week. SAMPLE/PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine youth who underwent surgery and proton radiotherapy (when indicated) for craniopharyngioma...

Purpose/objective: To examine the effectiveness of Mind Over Matter (MOM), a group psychosocial intervention based on CBT, ACT, and mind-body interventions, from data collected during a quality improvement project. MOM was offered in person prior to COVID-19 and via telehealth after COVID-19 began. Design/research approach: Distress, as measured by anxiety, depression, the severity of physical symptoms and the impact of physical symptoms on daily functioning, was measured pre- and post-MOM. Sample: The sample included 46 participants with an experience of cancer ranging in age from 31 to 75...

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression, anxiety, and loneliness between those with and without a history of cancer. DESIGN: This prospective observational study used a quantitative approach. PARTICIPANTS: Adult members of the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank ( N  = 104,640). METHODS: Participants completed a series of surveys from May to December 2020. The difference in score of depression, anxiety, and loneliness were estimated using linear mixed regression...

PURPOSE: Improved management of pain and co-morbid symptoms (sleep disturbances, psychological distress) among women undergoing surgery for suspected gynecologic malignancies may reach a population vulnerable to chronic pain. PARTICIPANTS: Women undergoing surgery for a suspected gynecologic malignancy. METHOD: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of eHealth Mindful Movement and Breathing (eMMB) compared to an empathic attention control (AC)...

PURPOSE: Body image is a major psychosocial concern for all cancer patients but can affect the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population in distinct ways. Similarly, the prospect of infertility and the fertility preservation process can create additional stress during cancer treatment. Discussions regarding infertility inherently implicate the body and its reproductive function, but downstream effects on self-perception have not been previously described. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of AYAs as they considered their risk of infertility and options for fertility preservation (FP), specifically the ways in which this impacted body image and FP decision-making...