How Did Adolescents With Cancer Experience the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Report From Italian Pediatric Hematology Oncology Association Centers.
Journal
Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology
ISSN: 1536-3678
Titre abrégé: J Pediatr Hematol Oncol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9505928
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 08 2023
01 08 2023
Historique:
received:
31
10
2022
accepted:
04
04
2023
medline:
28
7
2023
pubmed:
14
6
2023
entrez:
14
6
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
This study set out to evaluate the psychosocial effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among adolescents with cancer, and whether these effects are significantly different among adolescents who were undergoing therapy or had completed it. The AIEOP Adolescents Working Group and the AIEOP Psychosocial Working Group adapted a questionnaire, which was completed by 214 adolescent cancer patients ( Mage =16.3 y, range: 15 to 19 y old) treated at 16 AIEOP centers in the North (38%), South (31%), and Center (31%) of Italy. The results highlighted that fear of the virus is equally distributed among adolescent cancer patients, with patients being particularly concerned about their parents and families. The adolescents reported that had no difficulty in following individual safety measures: they used personal protective equipment and they were attentive to their own health and adhering to the rules imposed by doctors and the wider community. There are very few, limited differences between adolescents undergoing treatment (active group) and those who have completed treatment (follow-up group). The reminder of their own therapy experience triggered by the use of personal protective equipment, and the more common refusal to follow some restrictions were the only 2 behaviors by which the follow-up group differed significantly from the adolescents in the active group. Adolescents with cancer seem to have coped well with the pandemic: although they were very afraid of the virus for themselves and their families, and had to limit their social contact, they did comply with the restrictions. Their experience of cancer probably also had a positive effect in cultivating adolescents who are more responsible and resilient in emergency situations such as the pandemic.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37314864
doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002689
pii: 00043426-202308000-00017
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e683-e688Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Références
Imran N, Zeshan M, Pervaiz Z. Mental health considerations for children & adolescents in COVID-19 pandemic. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):S67–S72.
Becker SP, Dvorsky MR, Breaux R, et al. Prospective examination of adolescent sleep patterns and behaviors before and during COVID-19. Sleep. 2021;44:zsab054.
Chen F, Zheng D, Liu J, et al. Depression and anxiety among adolescents during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;88:36–38.
Ozturk FO, Ayaz-Alkaya S. Internet addiction and psychosocial problems among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2021;35:595–601.
Buzzi C, Tucci M, Ciprandi R, et al. The psycho-social effects of COVID-19 on Italian adolescents’ attitudes and behaviors. Ital J Pediatr. 2020;46:69.
Serlachius A, Badawy SM, Thabrew H. Psychosocial challenges and opportunities for youth with chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2020;3:e23057.
Ferrari A, Pagani Bagliacca E, Veneroni L, et al. Experiencing social isolation (even in the era of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown): teachings through arts from adolescents with cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2021;10:346–350.
Zucchetti G, Bertolotti M, Fagioli F. How paediatric psycho-oncology is changing during the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy: new approaches. Psychooncology. 2020;29:1384–1386.
Quarello P, Ferrari A, Mascarin M, et al. Diagnostic delay in adolescents with cancer during COVID-19 pandemic: a new price for our patients to pay. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2021;11:316–319.
Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. On the clinical psychologist’s role in the time of COVID-19, with particular reference to experience gained in pediatric oncology. Psychooncology. 2020;29:1374–1376.
Casanova M, Pagani Bagliacca E, Silva M, et al. How young patients with cancer perceive the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic in Milan, Italy: is there room for other fears? Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020;67:e28318.
Zecca M, Ferrari A, Quarello P, et al. Childhood cancer in Italy: background, goals, and achievements of the Italian Paediatric Hematology Oncology Association (AIEOP). Tumori. 2021;107:370–375.
Ferrari A. The challenge of access to care for adolescents with cancer in Italy: national and local pediatric oncology programs: international perspectives on AYAO, part 2. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2013;2:112–117.
Ferrari A, Quarello P, Mascarin M, et al. Italian pediatric and adult oncology communities join forces for a national project dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer. Tumori. 2021;108:03008916211058790.
Ahorsu DK, Lin CY, Imani V, et al. The fear of COVID-19 scale: development and initial validation. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2020;27:1–9.
Košir U, Loades M, Wild J, et al. The impact of COVID-19 on the cancer care of adolescents and young adults and their well-being: Results from an online survey conducted in the early stages of the pandemic. Cancer. 2020;126:4414–4422.
Jacobson C, Miller N, Mulholland R, et al. Psychological distress and resilience in a multicentre sample of adolescents and young adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2021;27:13591045211056923.
van Gorp M, Maurice-Stam H, Teunissen LC, et al. No increase in psychosocial stress of Dutch children with cancer and their caregivers during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021;68:e28827.
Bargon CA, Batenburg MC, van Stam LE, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life, physical and psychosocial wellbeing in breast cancer patients and survivors: a prospective, multicenter cohort study. medRxiv 2020;5(1): pkaa104.
Phipps S. Adaptive style in children with cancer: implications for a positive psychology approach. J Pediatr Psychol. 2007;32:1055–1066.
Pagani Bagliacca E, Sironi G, Veneroni L, et al. Tumorial: video tutorials produced by young patients on the youth project to voice their experiences. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2020;9:436–440.