Purpose The main purpose of this study was to explore the adaptation experience of adolescent cancer survivors during and after cancer treatment, and their perceived social support networks.
Methods This study was a qualitative descriptive study using the in-depth interview. Eight adolescent cancer survivors who were diagnosed with cancer between 11 to 18 years old participated in the study.
Results The adaptation experiences of adolescent cancer survivors over time were identified within five categories for during their treatment such as “being catapulted from one’s life,” “standing at the center of discomfort,” “falling behind the line,” “accepting the change,” “being developed”, and another five categories for after the treatment including “being shackled,” “encountering the forgotten reality,” “overcoming and emerging from the reality,” “growing into adulthood,” “entering into a new orbit.” Participants reported the various members of their social support network and their roles during and after the treatment as well.
Conclusion While adolescent cancer survivors adjusted to their changing situations after the cancer diagnosis, their internalized adaptation, as well as perceived social support from their diverse surrounding network, played significant roles. These findings will become a valuable asset for developing age-appropriate nursing interventions to promote psychosocial adjustment of adolescents with cancer.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Dismissal, distrust, and dismay: A phenomenological exploration of young women’s diagnostic experiences with endometriosis and subsequent support Georgina Wren, Jenny Mercer Journal of Health Psychology.2022; 27(11): 2549. CrossRef
Self-efficacy, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life of pediatric cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study Yeunhee Kwak, Yoonjung Kim, Eun Seok Choi, Ho Joon Im European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2021; 54: 102019. CrossRef
Difficulty in returning to school among adolescent leukemia survivors: A qualitative descriptive study Hyeran An, Sunhee Lee European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2019; 38: 70. CrossRef
Measurement Properties of Self-Report Questionnaires Measuring the Social Adjustment for Youth after Treatment of Childhood Cancer: Systematic Review Su-Mi Oh, Sun-Young Park, Hye-Jung Lee, Ju Hee Lee Child Health Nursing Research.2018; 24(1): 78. CrossRef
Development of Parent Coaching Domains for the Health Management of Childhood Leukemia Survivors Sung Hyun Lim, Won-Oak Oh Child Health Nursing Research.2018; 24(1): 68. CrossRef