TY - JOUR
T1 - Disclosing a history of childhood cancer to romantic partners
AU - Bos-van den Hoek, Danique W.
AU - Tuinman, Marrit A.
AU - Hillen, Marij A.
AU - Huijgens, Fiorella L.
AU - Kurpershoek, Elisabeth
AU - Calaminus, Gabriele
AU - Kaatsch, Peter
AU - Hagedoorn, Mariët
AU - Lehmann, Vicky
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to thank Katja Baust, Clara von Schweinitz, Fereshteh Shakib, Axel Budde, Michelle Brust, Jana Ellwart, Desiree Grabow, and Irene Jung for facilitating this study and data collection. This study was partially funded by a grant from the German Cancer Aid (#70112102; Calaminus, Kaatsch, Langer).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2023/6
Y1 - 2023/6
N2 - Objective: To describe young adult childhood cancer survivors' disclosure of their cancer history (i.e., disclosure behavior, difficulty, and timing), perceived partner responses, and associations with relationship status satisfaction. Methods: German long-term survivors of childhood cancer (N = 509; response rate: 31.3%, age 21–26, 59.7% female) completed a registry-based nationwide survey (embedded mixed methods design, including closed and open-ended questions) on measures about disclosure history (behavior, difficulty, and timing), partner responses, and relationship status satisfaction. Statistical (χ2-, t-, or F-tests) and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results: Half of all survivors always disclosed their cancer history to romantic partners. Thereby, three themes for considering (non-)disclosure were identified: Survivors' attitudes, having integrated cancer as part of their identity, and anticipated effects on romantic relationships. About 40% indicated having no difficulties with disclosing their cancer history. The timing of disclosure varied, with most survivors disclosing after a few dates. Facilitators of disclosure were the visibility of their former illness (e.g., scars), having trust in a (potential) partner, getting older/mature, and previous positive experiences with disclosure. Few survivors (13.8%) had ever experienced negative responses from dating partners. Yet, those who had negative experiences, found it more difficult to disclose their cancer history. Survivors were overall rather satisfied with their relationship status, with partnered survivors reporting greater satisfaction than singles (Hedge's g = 1.68); and particularly partnered survivors with past positive responses being most satisfied. Conclusions: Young adult childhood cancer survivors appear rather open in disclosing their cancer history to (potential) romantic partners, and few experienced negative responses. Psycho-educational programs may emphasize such findings in helping to prevent fear of disclosure or avoidance of dating and disclosure among survivors.
AB - Objective: To describe young adult childhood cancer survivors' disclosure of their cancer history (i.e., disclosure behavior, difficulty, and timing), perceived partner responses, and associations with relationship status satisfaction. Methods: German long-term survivors of childhood cancer (N = 509; response rate: 31.3%, age 21–26, 59.7% female) completed a registry-based nationwide survey (embedded mixed methods design, including closed and open-ended questions) on measures about disclosure history (behavior, difficulty, and timing), partner responses, and relationship status satisfaction. Statistical (χ2-, t-, or F-tests) and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results: Half of all survivors always disclosed their cancer history to romantic partners. Thereby, three themes for considering (non-)disclosure were identified: Survivors' attitudes, having integrated cancer as part of their identity, and anticipated effects on romantic relationships. About 40% indicated having no difficulties with disclosing their cancer history. The timing of disclosure varied, with most survivors disclosing after a few dates. Facilitators of disclosure were the visibility of their former illness (e.g., scars), having trust in a (potential) partner, getting older/mature, and previous positive experiences with disclosure. Few survivors (13.8%) had ever experienced negative responses from dating partners. Yet, those who had negative experiences, found it more difficult to disclose their cancer history. Survivors were overall rather satisfied with their relationship status, with partnered survivors reporting greater satisfaction than singles (Hedge's g = 1.68); and particularly partnered survivors with past positive responses being most satisfied. Conclusions: Young adult childhood cancer survivors appear rather open in disclosing their cancer history to (potential) romantic partners, and few experienced negative responses. Psycho-educational programs may emphasize such findings in helping to prevent fear of disclosure or avoidance of dating and disclosure among survivors.
KW - childhood cancer
KW - disclosure
KW - oncology
KW - psycho-oncology
KW - romantic relationships
KW - survivorship
KW - young adulthood
U2 - 10.1002/pon.6130
DO - 10.1002/pon.6130
M3 - Article
C2 - 36998113
AN - SCOPUS:85152386913
SN - 1057-9249
VL - 32
SP - 904
EP - 912
JO - Psycho-Oncology
JF - Psycho-Oncology
IS - 6
ER -