Online cognitive-behavioral group intervention for young adult survivors of childhood cancer: a pilot study
Open accessAbstract
Background Young adult childhood cancer survivors (YACCS) are a vulnerable group in need of psychosocial support, but tailored interventions are lacking.Aim To examine feasibility and satisfaction, and to explore preliminary effectiveness of an online group intervention (Op Koers Online for YACCS) aimed at teaching active coping skills and providing peer-contact, thereby reducing and preventing psychosocial problems in YACCS. The intervention is based on psycho-education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and aspects of acceptance and commitment therapy.Methods YACCS completed questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. Feasibility was based on attendance, drop-out, and an evaluation questionnaire was administered to assess satisfaction. Preliminary effectiveness was evaluated with the Mastery Scale, Illness Cognition Questionnaire, Distress Thermometer, Impact of Cancer - Childhood Survivors, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Preliminary effectiveness was investigated by testing differences on the psychosocial outcomes (coping and psychosocial wellbeing) between T0 and T1 within respondents, using paired samples t tests and Cohen’s d.Results 10 YACCS participated in the intervention and completed all questionnaires. There was no drop-out; 90% of participants attended five out of six sessions. Overall, participants were satisfied with the intervention; 7.6 on a 0-10 scale. Distress (Cohen’s d=-.6, p=.030) and feelings of helplessness (Cohen’s d=-.8, p=.001) reduced from T0 to T1, while self-efficacy (Cohen’s d=.8, p=.013,) improved. Other outcomes displayed small effects, but did not change significantly.Conclusions This first, small pilot study showed short-term decrease in distress and feelings of helplessness and improvement of self-efficacy. Op Koers Online was positively evaluated by YACCS and course leaders, filling a gap in psychosocial services for YACCS.
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Initial findings from a pilot study of 'Op Koers' showed a decrease in feelings of helplessness and an improvement in self-efficacy.
“Initial findings from a pilot study were promising, showing a decrease in feelings of helplessness and an improvement in self-efficacy [40].”
From Risk and Protective Factors of Psychosocial Functioning in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Results of the DCCSS-LATER Study (2024) · cites this paper as [40]
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- Authors
- van Erp, L. M. E., Maurice-Stam, H., Beek, L. R., Kremer, L. C. M., den Hartogh, J. G., van Gorp, M., Huizinga, G. A., & Grootenhuis, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center (NL)
- Emma Kinderziekenhuis (NL)
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- Venue
- Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-12-20
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 518-538
- ISSN
- 0734-7332 (ISSN-L)
- 1540-7586
- OpenAlex
- W4312019298
- Cited by
- 13
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 3.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- KiKa Foundation (293)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- young adult cancer survivors, childhood cancer survivors, online group intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychosocial support, coping strategies, distress, helplessness, self-efficacy, peer support, feasibility, intervention satisfaction
- MeSH terms
- Cancer Survivors, Child, Cognition, Humans, Neoplasms, Pilot Projects, Quality of Life, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Survivors, Young Adult, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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