Artikel: Self‐disclosure to peers by young adult cancer survivors (2019)

Given the potential benefits of self‐disclosure, the goal of this study was to learn more about how young adult cancer survivors navigate the process of disclosing their cancer history to peers.

Methods

A sample of 122 young adult cancer survivors completed a brief, online survey. Data were collected to assess how and why survivors self‐disclose to peers and how peers react.

Results

Participants endorsed a number of reasons for disclosing their cancer history to peers (eg, felt it was important for them to know) or choosing not to disclose (eg, to avoid upsetting/burdening them). Participants used a variety of strategies during the disclosure with the most frequently endorsed being humor and providing reassurance. Mediational analyses supported the study hypothesis: The relationship between peer reactions to self‐disclosure and the likelihood of future disclosure was mediated by survivors' satisfaction with the self‐disclosure experience. Exploratory analyses provided some insight into which disclosure strategies were met with a more positive reaction from peers.

Conclusions

The actual and anticipated reactions from peers play a crucial role in shaping young adult cancer survivors' experience of self‐disclosure. Clinicians may use these findings to help young survivors optimize their self‐disclosure experiences.