This study investigates the associations among perceived parent and peer support, self-esteem, and cancer-related worry in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. The findings suggest complex relationships, contrary to prior theories and research. Higher perceived support from parents and peers was associated with lower self-esteem, which, in turn, was associated with higher cancer-related worry. Direct associations between support variables and cancer-related worry were not found. Female survivors reported more cancer-related worry than males, but there were no significant gender differences in levels of self-esteem or peer support. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions focusing on self-esteem and support, especially considering the unique psychosocial concerns of AYA cancer survivors. It also highlights the importance of further research to clarify self-perceptions regarding self-efficacy and resilience as related to self-esteem, parent and peer relationships in the development of cancer-related worry and the dissemination of effective interventions to mitigate its impact. The authors suggest that future research could benefit from including a more diverse sample, examining additional covariates, and employing longitudinal designs for better causal inference.
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