Creative recovery: Narrative creativity mitigates identity distress among young adults with cancer

Abstract

Objective: Young adults with cancer are at a heightened risk for experiencing identity distress, with adverse consequence on their satisfaction with life (SwL). This study examines the contributions of two resources thought to mitigate identity distress: parental warmth and narrative creativity. Methods: 164 young adults divided into three groups: (a) control group (no history of life-threatening medical illness); (b) recovered group, and (c) cancer group (currently in treatment) completed measures of SwL, identity distress, parental warmth, and narrative creativity. Findings: The cancer group was associated with higher identity distress and there was a strong contribution of identity distress in decreased SwL across groups. Narrative creativity had a significant, direct effect on reduced identity distress, indirectly increasing SwL across groups. Implications for psychosocial providers : These findings highlight the potential of creativity to decrease identity distress and in turn, improve SwL among patients with cancer.