title: Prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: a 1-year follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been identified as a meaningful indicator of distress in cancer survivors. Distinct from young adult survivors of childhood cancer, young people diagnosed with cancer as adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face unique psychosocial issues; however, there is little published research of PTSS in the AYA population. This study examines prevalence and predictors of PTSS among AYAs with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a longitudinal study of AYAs with cancer, 151 patients aged 15-39 years completed mailed surveys at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis. Severity of PTSS was estimated at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the predictive effects of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on changes in PTSS over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 and 12 months, respectively, 39% and 44% of participants reported moderate to severe levels of PTSS; 29% had PTSS levels suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder. No significant differences in severity of PTSS between 6 and 12 months were observed. Regression analyses suggested that a greater number of side effects were associated with higher levels of PTSS at 6 months. Currently receiving treatment, having surgical treatment, diagnosis of a cancer type with a 90-100% survival rate, remaining unemployed/not in school, and greater PTSS at 6 months were associated with higher levels of PTSS at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-traumatic stress symptoms were observed as early as 6 months following diagnosis and remained stable at 12-month follow-up. The development of early interventions for reducing distress among AYA patients in treatment is recommended.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA. mykwak@umich.edu
authors.forename: Minyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Brad J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Zebrack
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Meeske
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Embry
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hayes-Lattin
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescent; cancer; oncology; post-traumatic stress disorder; post-traumatic stress symptoms; young adults