The Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors in the United States: An Integrative Review

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) are uniquely challenged with navigating health care systems during an important developmental phase of life. During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many people experienced social isolation, mental health symptoms, and schooling and employment changes, which may have affected vulnerable AYA cancer survivors. The purpose of this integrative review is to explore the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AYA cancer survivors in the United States. A literature search was conducted in November 2022 using PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases with the following search terms: distress*, depress*, lonel*, anx*, insomnia*, cancer*, neoplasm, COVID-19, coronavirus, young adult, AYA, teen*, and adolescen*. The initial search yielded 468 articles. Inclusion criteria required that studies were conducted in the United States, published in English, with a sample of patients diagnosed with cancer between ages 15 and 39. After review and appraisal of each relevant article, eight were included. Through comparative analysis of eight articles, including qualitative and quantitative studies, three themes emerged: mental health impact, health care impact, and financial impact. Mental health impact included increased anxiety, worsening depression and social isolation, and sleep disturbances. Changes in health care included delays in care, medical cost-coping and benefits of virtual care. Financial difficulties included employment changes and benefits of remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic had an immense impact on the psychosocial health of AYA cancer survivors. It is essential that oncology providers and health care teams consider specific interventions to best serve the psychosocial needs of their AYA patients.