title: Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Importance of Monitoring Survivors' Experiences of Family Functioning.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among Japanese long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Subjects comprised 185 adolescent and young adult (AYA) CCSs who completed anonymous self-report questionnaires. Attending physicians also completed an anonymous disease/treatment data sheet. Mean age of survivors was approximately 8 years at diagnosis and 23 years at participation. Multiple regression analysis showed that family functioning, satisfaction with social support, being female, and interactions between family functioning and gender and age at the time of diagnosis were associated with PTSS among survivors. This study revealed family functioning as the most predictive factor of PTSS among AYA CCSs in Japan. Even when the survivor may have unchangeable risk factors, family functioning can potentially moderate the effects on PTSS. Thus, it is crucial for health professionals to carefully monitor and attend to survivors' experiences of family functioning to mitigate PTSS.
authors.affiliation: The University of Tokyo, Japan kkamibeppu-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kiyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamibeppu
authors.affiliation: The University of Tokyo, Japan Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.affiliation: Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozono
authors.affiliation: Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Shikoku Medical Center for Children and Adults, Kagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.affiliation: Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asami
authors.affiliation: National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.affiliation: Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inada
authors.affiliation: National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kakee
authors.affiliation: National Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.affiliation: National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Japan.
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horibe
authors.affiliation: Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishida
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cancer; family functioning; posttraumatic stress disorders; survivors