Empirically derived psychosocial states among adolescents diagnosed with cancer during the acute and extended phase of survival.
BACKGROUND
To, during the acute and extended phase of survival, identify psychosocial states among adolescents diagnosed with cancer and to analyse these in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics and self-reported depression.


METHODS
Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two subscales, Vitality and Mental Health, in the SF-36 4-8 weeks (T1) (n = 61), 6 (T2) (n = 57), 12 (T3) (n = 50), and 18 (T4) months (n = 48) after diagnosis. I-State as Object of Analysis was used to identify a finite set of states based on three dimensions. Cluster analysis was carried out using Ward's method.


RESULTS
Five states were obtained: psychosocial dysfunction (state A) and poor (B), incomplete (C), good (D), and excellent (E) psychosocial function. At T1, more adolescents than expected by chance were in states A (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.01) and fewer in states D (P < 0.05) and E (P < 0.001). At T4, more adolescents than expected by chance were in state E (P < 0.001) and fewer in state C (P < 0.05). Female gender and being in late adolescence when diagnosed is related to worse psychosocial function.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide support for subgroups of adolescents whose level of vitality, mental health, and anxiety differ during the acute and extended phase of survival of cancer. Clinical interventions tailored to the level of impairment as determined by the clusters may result in better psychosocial outcomes.
Mattsson
E
E
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Psychosocial Oncology and Supportive Care, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. elisabet.mattsson@pubcare.uu.se
El-Khouri
B
B
Ljungman
G
G
von Essen
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D036262:Empirical Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D013548:Sweden