Exploring the links between physical activity and posttraumatic growth in young adult cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
Set within a posttraumatic growth (PTG) framework, the purpose of this investigation was to explore social support and enduring distress as predictors of psychological growth. The moderating role of physical activity was also examined.


METHODS
Sixty-four young adult cancer survivors (M(age) =28.83, SD=5.5 years) completed a survey assessing constructs within the PTG model, cancer and personal descriptive, and physical activity.


RESULTS
In a hierarchical regression analysis, stress (β=-0.04) and social support (β=0.46) were significant predictors of psychological growth (R(2) =0.24). The physical activity by social support interaction accounted for an additional 12.8% of the variance (β=-0.52), suggesting a strong positive correlation between social support and psychological growth in inactive individuals and a much weaker correlation for active individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the importance for young adult cancer survivors to seek social support, adopt appropriate coping strategies to endure distress, and to engage in regular physical activity to foster experiences of psychological growth following diagnosis and treatment for cancer.
Love
Caitlin
C
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sabiston
Catherine M
CM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult