Embodiment, identity formation, and psychological late effects in adolescent and emerging adult cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE

A cancer experience may complicate how young survivors relate to their bodies. To enhance our understanding, it is necessary to move beyond a narrow focus on bodily appearance. The current study examines how the multidimensional construct of embodiment is related to the developmental trajectories of identity formation and psychological late effects in young survivors.

METHODS

Survivors completed self-report questionnaires on embodiment at Timepoint 4 and on identity synthesis and confusion, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), cancer-related worries, and benefit finding at Timepoints 1-3. Using structural equation modeling, embodiment 3 years later was predicted by developmental trajectories of identity and psychological late effects of cancer.

RESULTS

Higher initial levels of identity synthesis and lower initial levels of identity confusion, PTSS, and cancer-related worries were associated with higher levels of embodiment 3 years later. Increases in identity synthesis and decreases in identity confusion were associated with higher levels of embodiment 3 years later.

CONCLUSIONS

This longitudinal study highlights the significant value of embodiment in understanding the bodily experiences of young survivors, and reveals how embodiment is related to identity development and psychological late effects of cancer.