Posttraumatic Growth Outcomes and Their Correlates Among Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to identify and examine posttraumatic growth (PTG) experiences, and their correlates, among young adult survivors of childhood cancer.


METHODS
602 long-term childhood cancer survivors between the ages of 18 and 39 participated. Their demographic (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, relationship status, employment, and income), cancer-related (diagnosis, current health problem, age at diagnosis, and years since diagnosis), and psychosocial (social support and optimism) PTG correlates were examined using descriptive, correlational, and regression analyses.


RESULTS
PTG was significantly greater for females and nonwhite survivors, and for those diagnosed at older ages. Survivors diagnosed with solid/soft tissue tumors reported lower PTG. Optimism and social support were positively associated with PTG.


CONCLUSIONS
Study findings highlight potential intervention opportunities for increasing PTG by facilitating discussion around growth experiences within an optimistic framework among a supportive network of family members and peers.
College of Social Work, University of Utah, jaehee.yi@utah.edu.
Jaehee
J
Yi
University of Michigan School of Social Work.
Brad
B
Zebrack
Department of Social Welfare, Myongji University, and.
Min Ah
MA
Kim
Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital & Harvard Medical School.
Melissa
M
Cousino
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
cancer and oncology; posttraumatic stress; quality of life