Levels of unmet needs among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) impacted by parental cancer.

Abstract

In this study, we aim to assess types and levels of psychosocial needs in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who have a parent with cancer. And define and describe the variables analyzing the demographic characteristics. This descriptive study with cross-sectional design was conducted on 217 participants from five hospitals in Tehran. By use of the "Offspring Cancer Needs Instrument," in adolescents and young adults who had the inclusion criteria, information about the psychosocial needs were collected. Also, a demographic questionnaire was completed by the participants. Mean and standard deviation calculated for each domain and overall scores. Independent t test and one-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of needs' mean and demographic variables. Total scores' mean was 126 and among domains, the "information" got the highest and the "support from friends" the lowest mean. Among demographic variables, we found a relationship between parent education (p value = 0.007), treatment statue (p value = 0.015), parent gender (p value = 0.018), and parent-child relationship (p value = 0.027) with the level of psychosocial needs. In this target group of adolescents and young adults, the need for "information" is the strongest domain of psychosocial need during parent cancer trajectory.