ObjectiveFor young adults (YAs) with cancer, connecting with peer cancer survivors can provide a unique sense of community and may enhance post‐traumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the relationship between connectedness to the YA cancer community and PTG among YAs, independent of overall social support.MethodsData were obtained from the young adults with cancer in their prime study, a cross‐Canada survey of YA cancer survivors. Participants were stratified by level of social support into two groups (low/high). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between PTG and connectedness to the YA community adjusting for respondent characteristics, and the interaction between support and connectedness.ResultsOf 444 respondents, mean age was 34.2 (SD = 6.0), time‐since‐diagnosis was 4.8 years (SD = 5.4), and 87% were female. Over two‐thirds of respondents (71%) reported feeling connected to the YA community. Level of connectedness to the YA community did not differ by social support group, and interaction between social support and connectedness to the YA community was not significant. In the adjusted regression, connectedness to the YA community (aOR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.10–4.91), high social support (aOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.36–6.74), greater time‐since‐diagnosis (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15) and female sex (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.23–4.04) were associated with greater odds of moderate‐to‐high PTG.ConclusionsFeeling connected to a community of YA cancer peers was associated with moderate‐to‐high PTG among YAs, independent of overall perceived social support. Future efforts should increase access to YA cancer communities and foster a sense of connectedness among YAs with cancer.

中文翻译：

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与年轻成人癌症社区的联系和创伤后成长：主要研究中患有癌症的年轻人

目的对于患有癌症的年轻人（YA）来说，与同伴癌症幸存者建立联系可以提供独特的社区意识，并可能促进创伤后成长（PTG）。这项研究考察了青少年癌症社区的连通性和青少年癌症患者的 PTG 之间的关系，独立于整体社会支持。方法数据是从他们的主要研究（一项针对青少年癌症幸存者的跨加拿大调查）中患有癌症的年轻人中获得的。参与者根据社会支持水平分为两组（低/高）。使用多变量逻辑回归来检查 PTG 与根据受访者特征调整的 YA 社区联系度之间的关联，以及支持与联系度之间的相互作用。 结果 444 名受访者的平均年龄为 34.2 岁（SD = 6.0），自诊断以来的时间为4.8 岁 (SD = 5.4)，87% 为女性。超过三分之二的受访者 (71%) 表示感觉与青少年社区有联系。不同社会支持群体与青少年社区的联系程度没有差异，并且社会支持与青少年社区的联系之间的相互作用并不显着。在调整后的回归中，与 YA 社区的联系（aOR = 2.29，95% CI：1.10-4.91）、高社会支持（aOR = 2.98，95% CI：1.36-6.74）、更长的自诊断时间（aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15) 和女性 (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.23–4.04) 与中度至高 PTG 的发生率较高相关。结论 与 YA 癌症同龄人社区的感觉相关YAs 中的 PTG 为中到高，与整体感知的社会支持无关。未来的努力应该增加青少年癌症社区的接触，并培养青少年癌症患者之间的联系感。