Purpose:
This is a prospective, multisite (but all within the UTSW IRB), observational study assessing
the relationship of hope to anxiety and depression, QoL, and social support over time in the
first year after cancer diagnosis or relapse in AYA (ages 15-29 years of age).
Study summary:
The principal investigators' ongoing work suggests hope is a target for intervention to
improve quality of life (QoL) and reduce anxiety and depression (A/D) among adolescents/young
adults (AYA). No study to the investigators' knowledge has evaluated the promising impact of
hope interventions in AYA cancer patients. To address this gap, the investigators will expand
the investigators' prior research on hope, A/D, and QoL to AYA receiving care across three
diverse healthcare systems.
Patients will be approached for participation within 3 months of their initial/relapse cancer
diagnosis. Eligible patients (and the parent/caregiver for minor patients) will be approached
in a private area of the clinic or hospital room to explain the research aims and informed
consent process. After obtaining informed consent/assent (from parents if patients are under
18, from AYA if patient is 18 or older), participants (patients) will utilize an iPad to
complete measures via Redcap.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adolescents and young adults (15-17, 18-29 years of age, respectively) with a new or
relapse diagnosis of a malignancy
- Patients will include those being followed (treatment or observational) for any
malignant disorder at Children's Medical Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, or
Parkland Health and Hospital Systems
- Patients whose native language is Spanish or English are eligible to participate
- Patients may have any life expectancy
- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with clinically apparent cognitive disabilities which would preclude
understanding and completion of measures.
- Patients with significant medical issues such as delirium which preclude their ability
to consent and complete initial measures