To learn more about the experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and investigate whether a group-based writing intervention can help to improve quality of life of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.
Primary Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a virtual, group-based expressive writing intervention for survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer. Secondary Objective: To preliminarily assess the impact of the study for cancer survivors.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Write about cancer experiences
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGStudy Completion Rate
The Study completion rate is defined as the average proportion of participants who complete follow-up assessments at 1-month follow-up. We will also calculate the 95% confidence intervals for the study completion rate.
Time frame: At 1 month follow-up
Intervention Adherence Rate
The intervention adherence rate will be calculated as the number of completed writing tasks divided by the total number of assigned tasks (4).
Time frame: At the end of intervention (week 8)
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General
The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General will be used to measure multidimensional quality of life, encompassing physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being, across 27 items. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 4. The overall score can range from 0 to 108, with higher scores indicating a better quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
Perceived Stress
The Perceived Stress scale will be used to measure perceived stress. This 4-item measure assesses the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. The overall score can range from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
Coping self-efficacy
The Cancer Behavior Inventory will be used to measure self-efficacy for coping with cancer. Each item is rated on a 9-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 9 to 81, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy for coping with cancer.
Time frame: Baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
Impact of Event Scale
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The 5-item intrusion subscale of the Impact of Event Scale will be used to assess unwanted thoughts related to cancer. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating a greater frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts.
Time frame: Baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
Common Humanity & Self-Kindness
Common Humanity and Self-Kindness will be measured using the subscales of the Self-Compassion Scale. These subscales capture positive aspects of self-compassion, including self-kindness (e.g., "When I am going through a very hard time, I give myself the caring and tenderness I need") and common humanity (e.g., "When I am down and out, I remind myself that there are lots of other people in the world feeling like me"). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The total score for each subscale ranges from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating a stronger sense of common humanity and self-kindness.
Time frame: Baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
Posttraumatic growth
The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory will be used to assess perceived positive changes as a result of a specific traumatic event. It includes 9 items, each rated on a 6-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater perceived posttraumatic growth.
Time frame: Baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up