Posttraumatic growth outcomes and their correlates among young adult survivors of childhood cancer

Objective This study aims to identify and examine posttraumatic growth (PTG) experiences, and their correlates, among young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods 602 long-term childhood cancer survivors between the ages of 18 and 39 participated. Their demographic (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, relationship status, employment, and income), cancer-related (diagnosis, current health problem, age at diagnosis, and years since diagnosis), and psychosocial (social support and optimism) PTG correlates were examined using descriptive, correlational, and regression analyses. Results PTG was significantly greater for females and nonwhite survivors, and for those diagnosed at older ages. Survivors diagnosed with solid/soft tissue tumors reported lower PTG. Optimism and social support were positively associated with PTG. Conclusion Study findings highlight potential intervention opportunities for increasing PTG by facilitating discussion around growth experiences within an optimistic framework among a supportive network of family members and peers.