Beyond depression: correlates of well-being in young adult survivors of childhood cancers

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, M_age = 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.

Keywords: Adolescent and young adult; Childhood cancer; Depressive symptoms; Posttraumatic growth; Well-being.