Pain, Internalizing Symptoms, Posttraumatic Stress, and Alcohol Use Among Young Adult Survivors of Cancer.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Pain is a prevalent late effect of cancer that can disrupt critical developmental milestones during young adulthood. This study examined the relationship between pain and psychosocial outcomes in young adult (YA) survivors of cancer.

METHODS

One hundred YA cancer survivors completed measures assessing pain, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and alcohol use at baseline and follow-up (2-4 weeks later).

RESULTS

In multivariate regression analyses, higher pain predicted poorer outcomes across all domains at follow-up (p's <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain predicts psychosocial outcomes in YA cancer survivors, underscoring the need for routine assessment of and early intervention for pain to support psychological well-being.