Understanding the impact of loneliness in adolescent childhood cancer survivors

Loneliness is a known risk for both childhood and adult cancer survivors, especially during the transition to survivorship. However, few studies have been conducted on the effects of loneliness in adolescent childhood cancer survivors (CCS) despite the vulnerability associated with their developmental stage and social disruptions during cancer treatment. To address this gap, corresponding author Rachel Webster, PhD, and first author Nele Loecher, PhD, Department of Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences, examined the associations between loneliness and psychosocial, physical and lifestyle factors during the transition to survivorship. The results, published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer, showed that more than one-third of the participants reported feeling alone or lonely as they were transitioning off treatment. These feelings were associated with negative illness perceptions, increased anxiety, lower mindfulness and increased vaping and marijuana use, all of which relate to emotional and behavioral risks for survivors.

“The end of treatment is a celebration, but it’s also when support begins to recede, often as adolescents are working to reconnect with peers and school, and at an age when those relationships matter most,” said Webster. “Our findings suggest loneliness at this transition is common and that these relational challenges may have implications for other emotional and behavioral risks. That warrants asking about loneliness as part of survivorship care.”

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