Research

Studying the Reasons Behind Nonsupport

A recent study showed that approximately two out of every three young adult cancer patients have experienced non-support and can recall someone in their life who they expected would provide support but never did (Ray, 2023). Understanding why people struggle with, or do not offer, support provides a blueprint for developing future training and resources aimed at improving connection and support after a diagnosis. But we can’t do this in without you. Interested in sharing your experience and insights?

Our Recent Study on Barriers to Support for Young Adults

In a newly released study on barriers to social support, b-present teamed with researchers to explore the reasons young adults (ages 18–39) struggle or avoid providing support to young adult cancer patients, and the young adult cancer patients’ perceptions of why they have not received support. The study analyzed 722 reasons (284 from young adult patients and 438 from young adult supporters). Study insights are being used to develop future resources to improve social support after a cancer diagnosis.

Bridging the Gap Workshop - Overcoming Social Support Barriers for Adolescents & Young Adults with Cancer

In this virtual workshop held on October 10, 2023, participants heard from our research team to learn about the reasons for nonsupport identified in our study, Barriers to Seeking and Communicating Social Support: A Study of Young Adult Cancer Patients and Supporters. The briefing was followed by a round table discussion with workshop participants.

Interested in getting a link to the replay?

What's Your Experience?

With the insights from our barriers to support study as our guide, our study team is focused on the training and resources that facilitate social support best practices nationwide. We are currently seeking community input and would love to hear from you.

Interested in sharing your experience and insights? Sign up and a member of our study team will reach out.

Supporter Roadmap Impact

If you have used our Supporter Roadmap, we would love to hear your thoughts in our brief 5-minute survey. Your feedback is essential to understanding our impact on the cancer support and connection experience. How did you use it? What did you find helpful? Where can we improve? We’re committed to making every update result in a more impactful resource. Your insights are key to achieving this goal.

Thanks in advance for your time and for helping us better serve you and the rest of the AYA community.

Join our #SupportSquad

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Colter D. Ray (2023) Nonsupport Experiences of Young Adult Cancer Patients: Prevalence, Acceptability, and Outcomes of Not Receiving Support, Health Communication, DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2206178

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