Social Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescents and Young Adults Recently Diagnosed with Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) remains an understudied potential link between the cancer experience and adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors’ poor psychosocial outcomes. We investigated the frequency and duration of, as well as factors associated with, symptoms of SAD among AYAs with cancer. Methods: This longitudinal, mixed-methods study involved online surveys (including a validated screening tool for SAD) at recruitment and 6 months later, and a structured clinical interview. Results: Twenty-eight AYAs (aged 12–30 years, <1-year postdiagnosis, 50% male) completed the first survey (M = 6 months postdiagnosis). About 32% reported clinically significant SAD symptoms. Fou..