title: The Experiences of Young Adults With Hodgkin Lymphoma Transitioning to Survivorship: A Grounded Theory Study.
abstract: To explore the experiences of young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma during the first year following the end of initial treatment.  .
  
  
  
  A qualitative grounded theory study. .
  
  
  
  Interviews with patients recruited from three cancer centers in England. .
  
  
  
  10 Hodgkin lymphoma survivors (four men and six women aged 21-39 years) recruited as part of a larger study of 28 young adult cancer survivors. .
  
  
  
  Semistructured interviews were conducted about two months after treatment completion, and follow-up interviews were conducted seven months later. The authors' grounded theory of positive psychosocial adjustment to cancer provided the conceptual framework. .
  
  
  
  Positive reframing, informal peer support, acceptance, and normalization helped young adults dismantle the threats of Hodgkin lymphoma during the course of treatment. However, they described losing a sense of security following treatment completion. Greater age-specific information to enable better preparation for the future was desired regarding body image, fertility, sexual relationships, work, and socializing. .
  
  
  
  Informal support mechanisms, like peer support and patient navigator interventions, may be useful ways to further support young adults after treatment completion. .
  
  
  
  Positive psychosocial adjustment to cancer survivorship in young adults is facilitated by having informal peer support; being able to positively reframe, accept, and normalize their experience; and being prepared for the future.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Brookes University.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.affiliation: Oxford Brookes University.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boulton
authors.affiliation: Oxford Brookes University.
authors.forename: Verna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lavender
authors.affiliation: Oxford Cancer and Haematology Centre.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Oxford Cancer and Haematology Centre.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitchell-Floyd
authors.affiliation: Oxford Brookes University.
authors.forename: Eila
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000073859:Survivorship; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hodgkin lymphoma; cancer survivors; grounded theory; qualitative; young adults