Abstract
Background
Young adult cancer survivors face a number of increased medical and psychosocial risks, including an increased risk of cardiovascular
disease and emotional distress. Although behavioral strategies, such as exercise, may diminish some of these risks, few behavioral
interventions have been developed for this population.
disease and emotional distress. Although behavioral strategies, such as exercise, may diminish some of these risks, few behavioral
interventions have been developed for this population.
Results
Participants identified advantages and disadvantages to a variety of intervention formats including: telephone-based, print-based,
computer-based, and several types of face-to-face interventions. The dominant theme that emerged was that interventions developed
for young adult cancer survivors should take into account their multiple competing needs and obligations (e.g., work, family).
Two closely related subthemes were: (1) the importance of developing interventions that are convenient and (2) the need for
interventions that provide social support. Interventions for this population may be most successful if they take into account
these themes.
computer-based, and several types of face-to-face interventions. The dominant theme that emerged was that interventions developed
for young adult cancer survivors should take into account their multiple competing needs and obligations (e.g., work, family).
Two closely related subthemes were: (1) the importance of developing interventions that are convenient and (2) the need for
interventions that provide social support. Interventions for this population may be most successful if they take into account
these themes.
Conclusion
Data indicate that young adult cancer survivors have some unique needs (e.g., multiple competing demands of young adulthood)
and preferences (e.g., comfort with remotely delivered interventions) that differentiate them from older cancer survivors.
Thus, young survivors would be best served by interventions designed to specifically target this population.
and preferences (e.g., comfort with remotely delivered interventions) that differentiate them from older cancer survivors.
Thus, young survivors would be best served by interventions designed to specifically target this population.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-012-9227-4
- Authors
- Carolyn Rabin, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Norah Simpson, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Kathleen Morrow, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bernardine Pinto, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503