Related Experiment Videos
Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Clinical Correlates of Loneliness in Adolescent Cancer Survivors at the Transition off
Nele Loecher1,2, Kathryn Russell1, Anna M Jones1
1St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract:
Loneliness is common during adolescence, yet is poorly understood in adolescents with cancer. This study examined associations between loneliness and psychosocial, physical, and lifestyle factors. Among 49 adolescents ending treatment, 35.5% felt 'lonely' (state of feeling isolated) and 26.9% felt 'alone' (physical state of not having others around). Feeling 'lonely' (adjusted for sex) and 'alone' were associated with negative illness perceptions (r = 0.50, p = 0.00; r = 0.35, p = 0.02), increased anxiety (r = 0.65, p = 0.00; r = 0.68, p = 0.00), lower mindfulness (r = -0.68, p = 0.00; r = -0.62, p = 0.00), increased vaping (r = 0.34, p = 0.02; r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and marijuana use (lonely: r = 0.37, p = 0.01). Findings indicate loneliness may relate to emotional and behavioral risks.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Longitudinal Research
Treatment Resistent Cancers
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...