Self-image among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: a qualitative study.

IF 2.1 3区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL

Journal of Pediatric Psychology Pub Date : 2025-09-23 DOI:10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf085

McCall A Schruff, Katianne M Howard Sharp, R Elyse Heidelberg, Sarah Daniels

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: This study describes adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors' self-image, including the role of social media, in the context of social interaction. More specifically, this study describes how survivors view their physical appearance, personality, and capabilities throughout their cancer experience.

Methods: Data were derived from semi-structured interviews of 21 AYA oncology survivors, ages 16-22 years, who were treated for cancer 1-4 years prior to participation. A five-phase approach for data analysis that incorporated both deductive and inductive qualitative strategies was used to identify themes of self-image.

Results: The analysis revealed two themes for each of the self-image components (personality, appearance, and capabilities). Specifically, AYA reflect on how a cancer diagnosis affects their identity, self-esteem, physical features, and social normalcy. In terms of the role of social media, AYA cancer survivors identified that social media promotes an unrealistic expectation and is used for external validation.

Conclusions: Survivors report ways in which their cancer experience and social perceptions contribute to their sense of self. The multifaceted aspects of self-image described are key concepts that psychosocial providers should assess throughout the AYA cancer trajectory. From AYAs' perspective, social media contributes to their self-image by creating a pressure to conform to societal expectations on appearance; additional research and support to mitigate this impact are warranted. Increasing AYAs' media literacy and enhancing psychosocial assessments and support to navigate online and offline social worlds may help shape AYA's self-image.

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青少年和青年癌症幸存者的自我形象：一项定性研究。

目的：本研究描述青少年和青年癌症幸存者在社会互动背景下的自我形象，包括社交媒体的作用。更具体地说，这项研究描述了幸存者在整个癌症经历中如何看待他们的外表、性格和能力。方法：数据来源于对21名AYA肿瘤幸存者的半结构化访谈，年龄16-22岁，在参与前1-4年接受过癌症治疗。数据分析的五阶段方法结合了演绎和归纳定性策略，用于识别自我形象的主题。结果：分析揭示了每个自我形象组成部分（个性、外表和能力）的两个主题。具体来说，AYA反映了癌症诊断如何影响他们的身份、自尊、身体特征和社会正常。在社交媒体的作用方面，AYA癌症幸存者发现社交媒体促进了不切实际的期望，并被用于外部验证。结论：幸存者报告了他们的癌症经历和社会观念如何影响他们的自我意识。所描述的自我形象的多方面是心理社会提供者应该在整个AYA癌症轨迹中评估的关键概念。从AYAs的角度来看，社交媒体通过创造符合社会对外表期望的压力来塑造他们的自我形象；有必要进行更多的研究和支持，以减轻这种影响。提高青少年青少年的媒体素养，加强心理社会评估和支持，以应对线上和线下的社会世界，可能有助于塑造青少年青少年的自我形象。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Pediatric Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL-

CiteScore

6.00

自引率

11.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Pediatric Psychology is the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, Division 54 of the American Psychological Association. The Journal of Pediatric Psychology publishes articles related to theory, research, and professional practice in pediatric psychology. Pediatric psychology is an integrated field of science and practice in which the principles of psychology are applied within the context of pediatric health. The field aims to promote the health and development of children, adolescents, and their families through use of evidence-based methods.