Trends in emotional distress among childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors: A decade-long study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-23-2026

Publication Title

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

Keywords

Humans, Adolescent, Female, Male, Cancer Survivors, Child, Psychological Distress, Young Adult, Adult, Neoplasms, Child, Preschool, Infant, Stress, Psychological, Health Surveys

Abstract

PURPOSE: We examined trends in emotional distress among survivors of childhood and adolescent and young adult (CAYA) cancers.

METHODS: We analyzed the 2008-2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data among individuals (n = 6451) who were diagnosed with cancer between 0 and 39 years of age. Emotional distress was assessed using the validated Kessler 6-item scale. Respondents rated how often they felt nervous, hopeless, restless, or fidgety, so sad that nothing could cheer them up, that everything was an effort, and worthless in the past 30 days. Responses were scored and added to produce a range of 0-24. We classified emotional distress as mild/no (score of less < 5), moderate (score between 5 and 12), or severe distress (≥ 13). Joinpoint regression estimated yearly increases/decreases in psychological distress using annual percent changes.

RESULTS: Overall, the proportion of individuals experiencing mild/no psychological distress increased by 1.68% annually between 2008 and 2014 and then decreased by 1.34% annually between 2014 and 2018, although not statistically significant. The proportion of individuals experiencing moderate distress decreased by 3.06% annually between 2008 and 2014 and then increased by 4.18% annually between 2014 and 2018, although not statistically significant. The proportion of individuals experiencing severe distress remained stable between 2008 and 2014 and then decreased by 7.36% annually between 2014 and 2018, although not statistically significant. No statistically significant trend in emotional distress was observed when stratified by patients' demographics and access to mental health services.

CONCLUSION: We found that trends in emotional distress among survivors of CAYA cancers have not changed significantly over the 2008-2018 decade, overall and when stratified by gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, and visit to a mental health professional within the past year.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Adolescent; Female; Male; Cancer Survivors; Child; Psychological Distress; Young Adult; Adult; Neoplasms; Child, Preschool; Infant; Stress, Psychological; Health Surveys

PubMed ID

41866594

Volume

34

Issue

4

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