The mediating role of appraisal on health-related quality of life in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Background Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (first diagnosed with cancer at age 15-39) are distinct within the cancer community due to their unique challenges and diverse psycho-behavioral characteristics. This study aimed to analyze psycho-behavioral pathways and further explore the mediating role of cognitive appraisals on AYA cancer survivors' quality of life (QoL). Methods Three hundred and eighty-nine AYA cancer survivors were eligible for analyses and recruited to self-administer questionnaires on QoL (the Chinese version of EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 v3.0), resilience, coping, and appraisal on site. This study performed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine pathways on QoL based on the Rapkin & Schwartz QoL Appraisal Model. Results The average age of participants (47.6% female) was 32.7 +/- 4.1 years. The SEM results closely fit the measured data (RMSEA = 0.053, GFI = 0.955, CFI = 0.964, SRMR = 0.052). The final model showed direct negative effects of later clinical-stage, more comorbidities, and more Acceptance-Resignation coping on QoL; indirect positive effects of better resilience on QoL through less Acceptance-Resignation coping (beta = 0.286, P = 0.002). Appraisal mediated the effects of treatment and resilience on QoL (beta = -0.024, P = 0.038). Further, Calm, Peaceful, and Active appraisal patterns were associated with improved Cognitive Functioning (beta = 0.119, P = 0.009). Conclusion Appraisal, coping, and resilience could significantly mediate the effects of cancer and its treatment on the QoL of AYA cancer survivors. Future interventions targeting cognitive appraisals and psycho-behaviors will be helpful. Figuring out what matters to such a unique population and how they appraise a cancer diagnosis through treatment trajectories could help nurses adjust support.