Psychological interventions in adolescents and young adults with cancer: a scoping review targeting protective factors of resilience.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Psychological interventions are essential for adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYACs), who experience poor outcomes in their emotional health, social functioning, health behaviors, and cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI). This scoping review synthesizes and discusses recent interventions aiming to promote resilience in AYAs with cancer up to 39 years old. The aim is to identify effective intervention strategies and highlight gaps in current research.

Recent findings: Twelve studies were identified, covering interventions targeting physical health, cognition and behavior, social support, emotion regulation, and neurobiology. Most interventions focused on physical activity and cognitive-behavioral approaches, demonstrating positive effects on psychological distress, self-efficacy and quality of life. However, there is a lack of interventions addressing social support, neurobiological resilience, and emotion regulation, despite their well established role in fostering adaptation to adversity.

Summary: Findings underscore the importance of integrative, multimodal approaches for resilience-building in AYACs. Future research should prioritize interventions that incorporate social, emotional, and neurobiological dimensions while ensuring accessibility through digital health solutions. Additionally, early implementation of psychological interventions during the initial cancer treatment period could be critical for mitigating long-term psychological distress and cognitive impairments. Co-constructing interventions with AYACs through participatory approaches is essential to enhance their effectiveness.