The study explored how young adults with cancer create a cancer identity across the illness trajectory. Young adults with hematological cancers (n = 53, ages 20–39) completed a semi-structured interview and brief questionnaire. Deductive thematic analysis was used to code interviews. Four identity categories (Acceptance, Enrichment, Engulfment, and Rejection) were coded and linked to the cancer stage (pre-treatment, active treatment, post-treatment). Pre-treatment, there was minimal expression about identity. Acceptance during active treatment involved identity work around disclosure and the integration of pre-cancer identity with the treatment experience. Post-treatment, acceptance involved actively making sense of the cancer experience and its long-term impact; Enrichment was more frequent post-treatment. Engulfment was expressed most during treatment. Individuals who remained engulfed post-treatment expressed difficulties moving beyond the patient’s identity. Rejection of a cancer identity was rarely expressed. Understanding how young adults integrate the cancer experience into their identity may suggest intervention strategies.
AagesenMla CourKMøllerJK, et al. (2023) Rehabilitation interventions for young adult cancer survivors: A scoping review. Clinical Rehabilitation37: 1374.
2.
AlbersTWeissLASleemanSHE, et al. (2021) Evaluation of a positive psychology group intervention in nature for young cancer survivors to promote well-being and post-cancer identity development. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology10(6): 726–734.
3.
ArnettJJ (2000) Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist55(5): 469–480.
4.
BraunVClarkeV (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology3(2): 77–101.
5.
CarverCSScheierMFWeintraubJK (1989) Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology56(2): 267–283.
6.
ChoDParkCL (2015) Cancer-related identities in people diagnosed during late adolescence and young adulthood. British Journal of Health Psychology20(3): 594–612.
7.
CordovaMJ (2008) Facilitating posttraumatic growth following cancer. In: JosephSLinleyPA (eds) Trauma, Recovery, and Growth: Positive Psychological Perspectives on Posttraumatic Stress. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, pp.183–205.
8.
DarabosKFordJS (2020) “Basically, you had cancer and now you don’t”: Exploring the meaning of being a “cancer survivor” among adolescents and young adult cancer survivors. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology9(4): 534–539.
9.
FadjukoffPPulkkinenLKokkoK (2016) Identity formation in adulthood: A longitudinal study from age 27 to 50. Identity16(1): 8–23.
10.
GinterAC (2020) “The day you lose your hope is the day you start to die”: Quality of life measured by young women with metastatic breast cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology38(4): 418–434.
11.
GuptaSKMazzaMCHoytMA, et al. (2020) The experience of financial stress among emerging adult cancer survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology38(4): 435–448.
12.
IonioCBigoniFSacchiM, et al. (2023) Exploring the effects of cancer as a traumatic event on Italian adolescents and young adults: Investigating psychological well-being, identity construction and coping strategies. Pediatric Reports15(1): 254–262.
13.
KumarARSchapiraL (2013) The impact of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community factors on the identity formation of young adults with cancer: A qualitative study. Psycho-oncology22(8): 1753–1758.
14.
LeeARYBLowCEYauCE, et al. (2023) Lifetime burden of psychological symptoms, disorders, and suicide due to cancer in childhood, adolescent, and young adult years. JAMA Pediatrics177(8): 790.
15.
LeventhalHDiefenbachMLeventhalEA (1992) Illness cognition: Using common sense to understand treatment adherence and affect cognition interactions. Cognitive Therapy and Research16(2): 143–163.
16.
LuyckxKOrisLRaymaekersK, et al. (2018) Illness identity in young adults with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior80: 48–55.
17.
MathiesonCMStamHJ (1995) Reneotiating identity: Cancer narratives. Sociology of Health & Illness17(3): 283–306.
18.
MeyerSLamashL (2021) Illness identity in adolescents with celiac disease. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition72(2): e42–e47.
19.
MoosRHHolahanCJ (2007) Adaptive tasks and methods of coping with illness and disability. In: MartzELivnehH (eds) Coping With Chronic Illness and Disability: Theoretical, Empirical, and Clinical Aspects. Boston, MA: Springer, pp.107–126.
20.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2024). Adolescents and young adults with cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/aya (accessed 28 February 2024).
21.
OrisLLuyckxKRassartJ, et al. (2018) Illness identity in adults with a chronic illness. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings25(4): 429–440.
22.
OrisLRassartJPrikkenS, et al. (2016) Illness identity in adolescents and emerging adults with type 1 diabetes: Introducing the illness identity questionnaire. Diabetes Care39(5): 757–763.
23.
PanjwaniAAMarín-ChollomAMPervilIZ, et al. (2019) Illness uncertainties tied to developmental tasks among young adult survivors of hematologic cancers. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology8(2): 149–156.
24.
ParkCL (2010) Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin136(2): 257–301.
25.
PearceSWhelanJKellyD, et al. (2020) Renegotiation of identity in young adults with cancer: A longitudinal narrative study. International Journal of Nursing Studies102: 103465.
26.
RadloffLS (1977) The CES-D scale. Applied Psychological Measurement1(3): 385–401.
27.
SecintiETometichDBJohnsSA, et al. (2019) The relationship between acceptance of cancer and distress: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review71: 27–38.
28.
StantonALBowerJELowCA (2014) Posttraumatic growth after cancer. In: CalhounLGTedeschiRG (eds) Handbook of Posttraumatic Growth: Research and Practice. Milton Park: Routledge, pp 138–175.
VanderhaegenJPrikkenSVan LaereE, et al. (2023) Identity formation and general and cancer-specific functioning in adolescent and emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer: A longitudinal study into directionality of effects. Annals of Behavioral Medicine57(9): 722–732.
32.
VodermaierALindenWSiuC (2009) Screening for emotional distress in cancer patients: A systematic review of assessment instruments. Journal of the National Cancer Institute101(21): 1464–1488.
33.
ZebrackBJ (2000) Cancer survivor identity and quality of life. Cancer Practice8(5): 238–242.
