Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Impact of Gender and Latino Culture

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2018 Jun;7(3):384-388. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2017.0078. Epub 2018 May 16.

Abstract

Ethnic and sex variations in depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) among adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors were explored among a sample of Latino and non-Latino childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) (n = 194) treated at hospitals in Los Angeles County. Latinos scored higher in depressive symptoms and lower in QOL when compared with non-Latinos. Males had higher depressive symptoms. Among Latinos, higher levels of acculturation were associated with depression and a poorer QOL, and we found that more acculturated Latino males were more likely to have meaningful levels of depression than less acculturated males or females. Interventions addressing depressive symptoms may be most needed for Hispanic male CCSs.

Keywords: Latino; acculturation; adolescent; cancer; depression; quality of life; young adult.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / epidemiology*
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • California / epidemiology
  • Cancer Survivors / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult