Loneliness among adolescents and young adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey.
Support Care Cancer
; 30(3): 2215-2224, 2022 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34708310
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer are at an increased risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness secondary to their cancer and its treatment. The physical distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic may have further increased loneliness among this group. This study examined the prevalence of loneliness and factors associated with loneliness among AYAs with cancer during this pandemic.METHODS:
We conducted a self-administered, online, cross-sectional survey of Canadian AYAs diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 between January and February 2021. Loneliness was measured using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Factors associated with higher levels of loneliness were identified using multiple logistic regression.RESULTS:
The analysis included 805 AYAs. The prevalence of loneliness was 52.2% [N = 419, 95% CI (confidence interval) 48.7 to 55.6%]. Individuals who were 18-25 years old [AOR (adjusted odds ratio)1.60, CI 1.03-2.47, p = 0.035], currently undergoing cancer therapy (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03-2.07, p = 0.035), who self-disclosed the presence of a pre-pandemic mental health condition (AOR 2.09, 95% CI = 1.22-3.58, p = 0.007), or were not in a relationship (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.14, p < 0.001) were more likely to report loneliness than others. Participants that lived in rural or remote locations were less likely to experience loneliness (AOR 0.59, 95%CI 0.40-0.87, p = 0.008).CONCLUSION:
One in two AYAs with cancer are feeling lonely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies for developing interventions to target loneliness, particularly for those at greater risk, are necessary to improve the health and quality of life of AYAs with cancer.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
COVID-19
/
Neoplasias
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Support Care Cancer
Asunto de la revista:
NEOPLASIAS
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article