Social Competence clinical trials

Social Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

Participants are being asked to take part in this clinical trial, a type of research study, because investigators want to learn more about the social experiences adolescents and young adults who are being treated or have been treated for cancer. Primary Objectives - Describe differences in social experience variables (peer connectedness, perceived social competence, parent versus peer attachment) based on treatment status: on versus off therapy. - In on-therapy patients, describe differences in social experience variables (peer connectedness, perceived social competence, parent versus peer attachment) based on developmental stage: high school versus post-high school. Secondary Objectives - Assess the social support and peer interaction needs of AYA with cancer as a means of determining stakeholder interest and need for psychosocial interventions targeting social experiences. - Using qualitative interviews, explore patient perceptions of the impact of cancer on social experiences among AYA, particularly with regards to changes in friendships as a result of the cancer diagnosis and the role of the hospital in helping or hindering friendship maintenance/development. Exploratory Objectives - Explore differences in social experience by demographic, disease and treatment factors, including: gender, diagnostic category (brain tumor, leukemia/lymphoma, solid tumor), late effects/symptom burden, and treatment (e.g., treatment intensity, serious medical events). - Explore associations between perceived impact of cancer and social experience in AYA. - Explore associations between use of social media and social experience. - Explore associations between social experiences and overall functioning (quality of life, distress, coping). - Explore the possibility of subclasses of AYA by using person-centered analyses to empirically derive profiles of social experience.