Family and parent-child relationship correlates of pediatric cancer survivors' substance use

Abstract

Objective: The primary aims of this research were to examine substance use among adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric cancer (AYA survivors) and AYA without a history of chronic or life threatening illness (AYA comparisons) and to explore links between demographic, medical, caregiver-AYA, and family system factors with AYA substance use patterns.

Methods: Participants included 289 AYA (survivors, n = 171; comparisons = 118; 51% female; M_age = 17.15, SD_age = 2.86) and their caregivers (M_age = 46.54, SD_age = 6.81; 88% mothers). AYA and caregivers completed the family environment scale, and caregivers completed the parenting relationship questionnaire at the initial assessment. Two years later, AYA completed an assessment of substance use. Chi-square and frequency analyses were used to compare differences in substance use among AYA survivors and comparisons. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine links between AYA substance use patterns with family and caregiver-AYA system level factors.

Results: Patterns of substance use did not differ between AYA survivors and comparisons. AYA survivors were more likely to report polysubstance use if caregivers endorsed problematic caregiver-AYA relationship patterns. Family functioning and caregiver relationship patterns did not predict AYA comparison substance use.

Conclusion: AYA survivors were just as likely as AYA comparisons to engage in substance use, increasing their vulnerability to problematic health outcomes. Findings indicate that the role caregiver-AYA relationship patterns may have on youth at risk for substance use and potential mechanisms for future intervention.

Keywords: Childhood neoplasm; Family functioning; Parent-child relations; Pediatric cancer; Substance-related disorders; YA cancer survivor.