Fear of Cancer Recurrence in AYA Caregivers: Emotional Needs and Family

Abstract

Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) is a multidimensional phenomenon associated with poorer psychological adjustment, heightened distress, and reduced quality of life among survivors and their caregivers. Despite its prevalence, limited research has explored FCR in caregivers of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, who face unique developmental and familial challenges. While unmet psychosocial needs and family dynamics are known to influence caregiver well-being, their specific role in shaping FCR in AYA caregivers is unclear. To address this gap, the present study investigates how unmet emotional needs, alongside family strength, contribute to FCR among caregivers of AYA cancer patients.This quantitative, crosssectional study included 65 Portuguese caregivers who completed self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was conducted in two steps: caregiver age was entered in Block 1, followed by unmet emotional needs and family strength in Block 2. The regression model was significant, explaining 22.7% of FCR variance. Unmet emotional needs were positively associated with FCR (β = .393, p < .001). While family strength showed a nonsignificant negative trend (β = -.242, p > .05). Unmet emotional needs were strongly associated with higher FCR, highlighting the importance of caregiver emotional support in this context. Younger caregivers reported greater FCR, suggesting demographic factors also influence the phenomenon. Our findings contribute to the understanding of caregiver experiences in AYA oncology and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address unmet emotional needs, enhance family resources, and provide comprehensive support for caregivers.