Cancer-Peer Connection in the Context of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer: A Qualitative Exploration.

Purpose: This qualitative study examined experiences and attitudes related to cancer-peer interactions among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty-six survivors, aged 16-24 years who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 14 and 18, completed one-on-one semistructured interviews as part of a larger study. Interviews were coded and analyzed using an iterative consensus and data-driven approach. Results: The data for this study revealed three main themes related to cancer peers, including the unique aspects of shared illness experience (i.e., personalizing of support from lived experience, inspiration from upward comparisons, space to be scared and to joke about cancer), benefits of providing support to other patients/survivors (i.e., giving back, healing after cancer, and incorporating cancer into life as a survivor), and considerations and concerns when connecting with cancer peers (i.e., exposure to adverse outcomes, "ignorance is bliss": blocking cancer out, guilt and cancer imposter syndrome). Conclusion: Study findings demonstrate the importance of cancer-peer connection and support in AYA cancer care, both during treatment and in survivorship. Future research should explore the ways in which peer-to-peer support programs could be tailored to best serve the AYA population in the context of cancer care.

Implementation of empowerment self-defense programming in a university counseling center: An effective sexual violence prevention delivery model.

Objective: Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is a sexual violence prevention approach backed by rigorous empirical research, yet its availability on college campuses is limited. This manuscript evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of an ESD program embedded within a university counseling center. Methods: Participants completed an 8-session ESD intervention and group counseling program. Results: Feasibility and acceptability of this program were demonstrated by excellent participant retention and supported by institutional buy-in and counselor involvement. Pre-post assessments demonstrated that participants reported significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms, F (1, 56) = 22.46, p < .001 and improvements in both interpersonal self-efficacy, F (1, 56) = 88.81, p < .001, and self-defense self-efficacy, F (1, 56) = 100.20, p < .001. Conclusion: The findings support the use of ESD programming as part of college campus sexual violence efforts and provide a blueprint for administrators and college mental-health centers who wish to offer this effective program to the college students they serve.