Psychological distress and resilience in a multicentre sample of adolescents and young adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic
Clare Jacobson, Nicola Miller, Rebecca Mulholland, Laura Baker, Daniel Glazer, Emily Betts, Louise Brown, Vera Elders, Robert Carr, Olufunmilola Ogundiran, Lee Hudson
Abstract
Understanding impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with cancer is important to inform care. Online survey of 16–24 year olds receiving cancer treatment at eight cancer centres in the UK. We measured: self-perceived increased anxiety since COVID-19, impact of COVID-19 on treatment, life and relationships, PHQ-8, GAD and the two-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). 112 AYA participated. 59.8% had previous mental health difficulties. 78.6% reported COVID-19 having a significant impact on life. 79% reported experiencing increased anxiety since COVID-19.43.4% had moderate-severe PHQ-8 scores and 37.1% GADS-7 scores. Impact on life was associated with moderate-severe PHQ-8 scores (OR 5.23, 95% CI 1.65–16.56, p < 0.01), impact on relationships with moderate-severe GADS-7 and PHQ-8 score (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.11–7.54, p = 0,03; OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.32–15.17, p < 0.01; OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.11–5.25, p =0.03). Greater resilience was associated with lower mod-severe GADS-7and PHQ-8 scores (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41–0.81, p < 0.01; OR 0.55 95% CI 0.4–0.72, p < 0.01; OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.38–0.69, p < 0.01). We found high levels of psychological distress. Perceived impact of COVID-19 on relationships and life was predictive of poorer mental health, with resilience a protective factor.