title: Understanding the Health Behaviors of Survivors of Childhood and Young-Adult Cancer: Preliminary Analysis and Model Development.
abstract: The current study presents preliminary correlational data used to develop a model depicting the psychosocial pathways that lead to the health behaviors of survivors of childhood and young-adult cancer. Data collected from a sample of 18- to 30-year-old cancer survivors (n = 125) was used to examine the relations among interpersonal support and nonsupport, personal agency, avoidance, depressive symptoms and self-efficacy as they related to health behaviors. The outcome measures examined included tobacco and alcohol use, diet, exercise, sunscreen use, medication compliance and follow-up/screening practices. Correlational analyses revealed a number of significant associations among variables. Results are used to inform the development of a health behavior model. Implications for health promotion and survivorship programming are discussed, as well as directions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., New York, NY 10458, USA. svuotto@fordham.edu.
authors.forename: Stefanie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Vuotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., New York, NY 10458, USA. procidano@fordham.edu.
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Procidano
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., New York, NY 10458, USA. annunziato@fordham.edu.
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Annunziato
keywords: childhood cancer; health behavior; late effects; survivorship