Coping Strategies of Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Conclusions Even long after completing treatment, the cancer experience remained deeply ingrained in AYA survivors' lives. Although they did not perceive their survivorship as a large problem in their current lives, coping with being a childhood cancer survivor did take effort. The deployment of specific coping strategies helped them to remain focused on the positive outlook in life and to deal with the long-term physical and psychosocial consequences of the cancer experience aimed at ultimately leading a normal life. Implications for Practice This study emphasizes the current individual frame of reference of the AYA survivor as the point of departure for psychosocial support. Healthcare professionals are advised to acknowledge and respect the value and function of the AYA survivors' coping strategies used.
Source: Cancer Nursing - Category: Nursing Tags: ARTICLES: ONLINE ONLY Source Type: research