Lie Nataskja-Elena Kersting, Larsen Torill Marie Bogsnes, Hauken May Aasebø
Faculty of Psychology, Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Center for Crisis Psychology, Bergen, Norway.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2018 Nov;27(6):e12743. doi: 10.1111/ecc.12743. Epub 2017 Jul 31.
Young adult cancer patients (YACPs), aged 18-35 years when diagnosed with cancer, are in a vulnerable transitioning period from adolescence to adulthood, where cancer adds a tremendous burden. However, YACPs' challenges and coping strategies are under-researched. The objective of this study was to explore what challenges YACP experience during their treatment, and what coping strategies they applied to them. We conducted a qualitative study with a phenomenological-hermeneutic design, including retrospective, semi-structured interviews of 16 YACPs who had undergone cancer treatment. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and interpreted applying the Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress (CATS). We found "coping with changes and uncertainty" as overarching topic for YACPs' challenges, particularly related to five themes, including (1) receiving the diagnosis, (2) encountering the healthcare system, (3) living with cancer, (4) dealing with the impact of the treatment and (5) reactions from the social network. YACPs' coping strategies applied to these challenges varied broadly and ranged from maladaptive strategies, such as neglecting the situation, to conducive emotional or instrumental approaches to manage their challenges. The findings call for age-specific needs assessments, information and support for YACPs, and their families in order to facilitate YACPs' coping during their treatment.
年轻成年癌症患者（YACPs）在被诊断出患有癌症时年龄在18至35岁之间，正处于从青春期到成年期的脆弱过渡阶段，癌症给他们带来了巨大负担。然而，YACPs所面临的挑战及其应对策略尚未得到充分研究。本研究的目的是探讨YACPs在治疗过程中经历了哪些挑战，以及他们采用了哪些应对策略。我们采用现象学-诠释学设计进行了一项定性研究，包括对16名接受过癌症治疗的YACPs进行回顾性半结构化访谈。使用主题分析法对数据进行分析，并应用压力认知激活理论（CATS）进行解读。我们发现“应对变化和不确定性”是YACPs面临挑战的首要主题，尤其涉及五个方面，包括（1）接受诊断，（2）接触医疗系统，（3）与癌症共存，（4）应对治疗的影响，以及（5）来自社交网络的反应。YACPs针对这些挑战所采用的应对策略差异很大，从诸如忽视现状等适应不良策略到有助于应对挑战的情感或工具性方法都有。研究结果呼吁针对YACPs及其家庭进行特定年龄的需求评估、提供信息和支持，以便在治疗期间促进YACPs的应对。
