An Investigation of Social Status among Adolescents and Young Adults Who Have Been Diagnosed with Cancer in Canada

• Published in: Cancers 2023-06, Vol.15 (13), p.3436
• Main Authors: Schulte, Fiona S M, Hou, Sharon H J, Bender, Jacqueline L, Tulk, Joshua, Wurz, Amanda, Petrella, Anika, Sabiston, Catherine M, D'Agostino, Norma, Chalifour, Karine, Eaton, Geoff, Garland, Sheila N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Age; Blood cancer; Cancer; Care and treatment; Developmental stages; Education; Educational attainment; Employment; Ethnicity; Family income; Females; Health aspects; Investigations; Long-term effects; Metastases; Oncology, Experimental; Post-traumatic growth; Quality of life; Social aspects; Social interactions; Social networks; Social support; Teenagers; Young adults; Youth
• ISSN: 2072-6694; 2072-6694
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133436

Aims were to: (1) compare social status among AYAs diagnosed with cancer to a community population; (2) describe AYAs' change in employment/education status; and (3) examine predictors of social status. Social status (i.e., education, employment, relationship status, and living arrangement) was captured from young adults diagnosed with cancer recruited via social media through a community-based organization from across Canada and randomly matched to a community sample by sex, age, province of residence, total household income and race/ethnicity at a ratio of 1:3. AYAs with cancer (N = 622) were an average of 4.45 (SD = 5.42) years from the completion of treatment and were less likely to be employed (χ = 96.35, < 0.001) and more likely to be living at home with parents (χ = 17.00, < 0.001). There were no differences in education or relationship status. Overall, 41% and 45% of AYAs reported quitting school or work, respectively. Non-metastatic disease (AOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.08-9.62), and better physical (AOR 1.07 95% CI 1.04-1.10) and mental quality of life (QOL)(AOR 1.06 95% CI 1.03-1.09), were associated with employment. Worse mental QOL (AOR 1.04 95% CI 1.01-1.07), less post-traumatic growth (AOR 1.01 95% CI 1.00-1.03), and social support (AOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.18-0.41) were associated with being single. Non-White race (AOR 3.19 95% CI 1.02-9.97) and less post-traumatic growth (AOR 0.97 95% CI 0.95-0.99) were associated with living with parents. AYAs diagnosed with cancer experience differences in attainment of employment and independent living compared to a community sample. These challenges may have implications for physical and mental QOL.