Coping Strategies and Factors Related to Problematic Substance Use and Behavioral Addictions Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore and identify the factors associated with problematic substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) and behavioral addictions (internet and eating disorders) over time in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) treated for cancer. Methods: AYAs newly diagnosed with cancer, 15-25 years of age, completed a questionnaire during their hospitalization (T1), assessing their consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis (The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; The Smoking Behavior Questionnaire; and The Cannabis Abuse Screening Test), their internet use (The Internet Addiction Test), their body preoccupations (The Eating Attitudes Test), as well as their coping strategies (Brief COPE) and emotional adjustment (The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Questionnaires were completed again 6 months later (T2). Results: Seventy-three AYAs were included at T1 and 21 AYAs at T2. Nearly one out of two (46.58%) AYAs had a problematic substance use or behavioral addiction after cancer diagnosis (T1). Problematic use of internet was frequently reported (23.29%), as well as harmful alcohol consumption or addiction (16.44%) and cannabis dependence (12.33%). The main factor related to problematic substance use was being older, while the main factor related to behavioral addiction was having a higher anxiety score. Substance use as a coping strategy was used more frequently by AYAs with problematic substance use and emotional support as a coping strategy was used more frequently by AYAs with a behavioral addiction. Conclusions: High rates of problematic substance use and behavioral addiction were reported in our sample. AYAs surveyed had high problematic use of cannabis and high internet use. Attention to substance use and addictive behaviors is recommended to ensure optimal care.

Qualitative, Exploratory, and Multidimensional Study of Telepresence Robots for Overcoming Social Isolation of Children and Adolescents Hospitalized in Onco-Hematology.

Purpose: Treatment of pediatric cancers and hematological malignancies requires long periods of isolation in a sterile room. To promote family connections, telepresence robots have been made available in the homes of hospitalized patients. Our aim was to evaluate the perceived benefits and difficulties encountered by users and their families in terms of family dynamics. We also evaluated the presence of the robot on the medical caregivers' therapeutic relationship and organization of daily care. Methods: An observational study was undertaken with semistructured face-to-face interviews of 17 patients (aged 7 to 25 years) and their parents conducted by a psychologist on day +15 after provision of the robot and then after the patients had gone home, as well as face-to-face interviews of 15 caregivers by a philosopher before the robots were made available and at day +21. Results: One of the main perceived benefits expressed by the patients was maintenance of a connection with their siblings and retention of their role in the family. For parents, the device provided reassurance of being able to stay in touch with their child. The nursing staff indicated that the devices allowed them to develop more than a professional relationship with the child and to interact with their extended family. Limitations of the virtual nature of the nursing staff/family relationship were also noted, such as potential frustration for patients when they witness things that they cannot access and a degree of concern for the parents during periods of disconnection. Conclusions: This study revealed an overall perceived benefit for patients, their families, and caregivers. It also highlighted relevant issues and it provides guidelines for broader application of such devices.

[Psychosocial and developmental outcomes of TYAs with cancer: Are there any specific characteristics for the young adults?] / Aspects psychosociaux et développementaux des AJA atteints de cancer : existe-t-il des spécificités propres aux jeunes adultes ?

During the last few years, specific support devices and even dedicated units for teenagers and young adults (TYAs - patients grouped in the 15-25 years age group) appeared in oncology. If the existing literature review allows identifying many written work related to the experience of cancer during adolescence, resources about "young adults" are not only far less abundant, but rarely give the definition of what is a "young adult". Based on this observation, it appears necessary, at this stage of our practice, to question the definition and psychosocial outcomes of those psychiatrists and psychologists also call "young adults". Are they so different compared to teenagers? Do they have their own specificities? Based on the analysis of the general literature, we will seek to define the highlights of this moment of life and to identify their specific psychosocial and developmental outcomes. Thus, we will be able to study more accurately the experience of young adults facing cancer and the associated psychological side effects. Based on this analysis, we will present the issues which seemed to be specific in the psychological support of young adults and their relatives.

Nurses' perceptions of depression in patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed at examining nurses' perceptions of depression in cancer patients and their role in its management. METHOD: We employed questionnaire-based semi-directed interviews. Participants were asked to classify 22 symptoms (related and specific to depression in cancer patients, related but not specific, and unrelated) as "very important," "important," "less important," or "not important" for the diagnosis of depression in cancer patients at two different timepoints (baseline and after a video education program). They were also asked to complete a questionnaire exploring their perceptions about depression and of their role in its systematic screening. We recruited nurses caring for cancer patients from four different departments (palliative care unit, hematology, medical oncology, and thoracic oncology) at an academic medical center. RESULTS: We interviewed 18 nurses and found that they had a good general knowledge of depression in cancer patients, with the majority of them being able to distinguish specific and important symptoms from nonspecific symptoms. Some nurses considered depression as a second-line symptom, and most did not employ a screening tool in their daily practice. All considered that they had a role to play in the management of depression, even as they acknowledged lacking specific training for that task. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Our results suggest that limited resources­especially lack of training­affects nurses' ability to correctly manage depression in their cancer patients.