Perceptions of Distress Among Adolescents Recently Diagnosed With Cancer

Abstract

With the goal of studying perceived distress among adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer, 56 adolescents were interviewed by telephone 4 to 8 weeks after diagnosis. The interviews included a structured interview guide, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the subscales Mental Health and Vitality from SF-36. "Losing hair" and "missing leisure activities" were identified as the most prevalent aspects of distress, whereas "missing leisure activities" and "fatigue" were rated with the highest levels of distress. "Worry about not getting well," "mucositis," "nausea," "pain from procedures and treatments," and "worry about missing school" were rated as the overall worst aspects by most adolescents. Twelve percent reached the cutoff score for potential clinical anxiety and 21% for potential clinical depression. Ratings of Mental Health and Vitality were lower than norm values. Prevalence of pain from procedures/treatments was higher among those who scored in the clinical range of depression, and more adolescents who were treated at a local hospital scored in the clinical range of anxiety. The findings show that ratings of prevalence, levels, and aspects perceived as the worst are not necessarily in accordance, that adolescents scoring in the clinical range of psychological distress are in the minority, and that the adolescents experience reduced physical and mental well-being.

Pain-related quality of life related to mental health and sociodemographic indicators in adolescents

“…Although many studies have examined the association of malignant pain with depression and anxiety in adolescents in clinical units 12,13 , to the best of our knowledge, few studies have examined the association between nonmalignant pain and mental health problems in adolescents in communities. Pain, depression, and anxiety may exhibit bidirectional relationships.…”

The lived experience of fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer: a systematic review

“…It affects children and adolescents with cancer at all stages of the disease trajectory from diagnosis to survivorship and the end-of-life period [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Fatigue has physical, mental, and emotional components and may be characterized by a lack of energy, decreased physical ability, and feelings of tiredness.…”

Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Experiences of Childhood Cancer

“…In relation to chemotherapy treatment, children often experience early complications such as lack of energy/fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, pain 4 , poor appetite, as well as physical discomfort and frailty 5 . Changes related to appearance and hair loss, as well as psychological and emotional distress including fear of missing out on school and friends, have also been reported as distressing complications in relation to treatment 6,7 .…”