Distress and resilience among adolescents and young adults with cancer and their mothers: An exploratory analysis

Abstract

The aim of this analysis was to explore intra-family longitudinal relationships in psychosocial well-being among adolescent and young adults (AYAs, Mage = 17, SD = 2.1) with cancer and their mothers using data from a multi-site, prospective, survey-based study. AYA-mother dyads (n = 14 dyads) completed validated patient reported outcome (PRO) measures of self-perceived resilience [Connor–Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC-10)] and distress [Kessler-6 psychological distress scale (K6)] at baseline (14–60 days following diagnosis) and follow-up (3–6 months later). Higher AYA distress predicted better maternal resilience, whereas higher maternal distress predicted worse AYA resilience. Thus, processes of resilience between AYAs and their mothers may differ.

Keywords:

• pediatric
• adolescent/young adult
• family
• resilience
• psychological distress
• patient-centered outcomes
• psychosocial outcomes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Lau’s research fellowship is funded through the University of Washington Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence's T32 Research Fellowship Program (grant number: T32 HL125195). Dr. Rosenberg and the “Resilience in Adolescents and Young Adults” study were supported by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and the National Institutes of Health (grant number: KL2TR000421).