1 Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki , Helsinki, Finland .
2 Murdoch Children's Research Institute , Melbourne, Australia .
J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2018 Apr;7(2):238-244. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2017.0045. Epub 2017 Nov 13.
This study describes the early educational and vocational outcomes of Australian adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after cancer diagnosis and examines factors associated with these outcomes.
Within this cross-sectional national Australian study, 196 AYAs aged 15-25 years at cancer diagnosis and within 6-24 months of diagnosis were recruited from 18 sites. Participants completed a survey that included questions about school and work outcomes, support received regarding necessary changes to education and vocation, and validated measures of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
Almost half of the sample (43%) was not fully "back on track" with their previous educational and vocational plans. Post-traumatic stress and emotional symptoms were associated with poorer school/work functioning (β = -0.95, p = 0.009 and β = -1.27, p = 0.001, respectively). Higher PedsQL school/work functioning was associated with a slightly greater likelihood of being "back on track" with education and work plans (OR 1.03, p = 0.001). AYAs who felt well supported regarding changes to education and work plans more frequently reported receiving support from formal sources and from more sources than those who felt less supported. Unmet need of accessing an educational or vocational advisor was significantly more frequent in adult than in pediatric settings (42% vs. 17%; p = 0.024). Parents were the most common source of educational or vocational support for AYAs rather than professionals.
This study highlights the connection between school and work participation and mental health in a national sample of AYAs with cancer. It suggests distinct benefits of educational and vocational support.
本研究描述了澳大利亚青少年和年轻人（AYAs）癌症诊断后的早期教育和职业结果，并探讨了与这些结果相关的因素。
在这项横断面全国性澳大利亚研究中，从 18 个地点招募了 196 名年龄在 15-25 岁之间、癌症诊断时年龄在 6-24 个月之间的 AYA。参与者完成了一项调查，其中包括关于学业和工作结果、在必要时接受的教育和职业变更支持，以及焦虑、抑郁和创伤后应激的验证性测量。
几乎一半的样本（43%）没有完全“回到正轨”，他们之前的教育和职业计划。创伤后应激和情绪症状与较差的学业/工作功能相关（β=-0.95，p=0.009 和 β=-1.27，p=0.001）。较高的 PedsQL 学业/工作功能与“回到正轨”接受教育和工作计划的可能性略大相关（OR 1.03，p=0.001）。感到在教育和工作计划的变更方面得到充分支持的 AYA 更频繁地报告从正式来源和更多来源获得支持，而那些感到支持不足的 AYA 则较少。在成人环境中比儿科环境中更频繁地需要未满足的获得教育或职业顾问的需求（42%比 17%；p=0.024）。父母是 AYA 接受教育或职业支持的最常见来源，而不是专业人士。
本研究在全国性的 AYA 癌症样本中强调了学业和工作参与与心理健康之间的联系。它表明教育和职业支持具有明显的益处。
