Empirically derived psychosocial states among adolescents diagnosed with cancer during the acute and extended phase of survival

Eva Mattsson, B. El-Khouri, G. Ljungman, L. von Essen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Patients and methods: Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two subscales, Vitality and Mental Health, in the SF-36 4-8 weeks (T1) (n = 61), 6 (T2) (n = 57), 12 (T3) (n = 50), and 18 (T4) months (n = 48) after diagnosis. I-State as Object of Analysis was used to identify a finite set of states based on three dimensions. Cluster analysis was carried out using Ward's method. Results: Five states were obtained: psychosocial dysfunction (state A) and poor (B), incomplete (C), good (D), and excellent (E) psychosocial function. At T1, more adolescents than expected by chance were in states A (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.01) and fewer in states D (P < 0.05) and E (P < 0.001). At T4, more adolescents than expected by chance were in state E (P < 0.001) and fewer in state C (P < 0.05). Female gender and being in late adolescence when diagnosed is related to worse psychosocial function. Conclusion: The findings provide support for subgroups of adolescents whose level of vitality, mental health, and anxiety differ during the acute and extended phase of survival of cancer. Clinical interventions tailored to the level of impairment as determined by the clusters may result in better psychosocial outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1722-1727
JournalAnnals of Oncology
Volume20
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: The Vårdal Institute (016540000), Division of Infection Medicine (BMC) (013024020)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cancer and Oncology

Free keywords

  • cluster analysis
  • adolescents
  • cancer
  • HADS
  • psychosocial function
  • SF-36

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Empirically derived psychosocial states among adolescents diagnosed with cancer during the acute and extended phase of survival'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this