Emotional Distress, Self-Management Skills, and Expectations Among Adolescents and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors in Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care: A Brief Report

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2023 Dec;12(6):906-911. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2022.0166. Epub 2023 Mar 3.

Abstract

The transition from pediatric to adult care poses several emotional and personal challenges to adolescents and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), which need attention to avoid the risk of nonadherence and medical dropout. This brief report describes the condition of AYA-CCSs at the moment of transition in terms of emotional state, personal autonomy, and expectations regarding future care. The results provide insights for clinicians dealing with survivorship care, to enhance AYA-CCSs emotional resilience and to support them in being in charge of their health, thus facilitating their transition to adulthood.

Keywords: adolescent and young adult; cancer survivors; pediatric oncology; transition.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cancer Survivors* / psychology
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Neoplasms* / psychology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Psychological Distress*
  • Self-Management*
  • Transition to Adult Care*
  • Young Adult