The role of adult romantic attachment in long-term childhood cancer survivors' social relationships and help-seeking.
Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for health-related and social challenges that can extend far into adulthood. However, CCS' trajectories are heterogeneous. As a potential influencing factor, the present work investigated adult romantic attachment in conjunction with their relationship perceptions and experiences and help-seeking behavior. CCS (N = 633, aged 24-49 years) were recruited in cooperation with the nationwide German Childhood Cancer Registry (GCCR). Participants underwent a comprehensive medical examination at the study centre. Validated self-report questionnaires (including the ECR-RD8, PHQ-9, F-SozU K6, UCLA 3-item loneliness scale) and further items regarding help-seeking behavior were applied. Adult romantic attachment orientations were substantially related to CCS' relationships in adulthood: Both more attachment anxiety and avoidance were linked to higher loneliness (r = 0.471, p < .001; r = 0.320, p < .001) and lower perceived social support (r = -0.349, p < .001; r = -0.300, p < .001). While 20.2% of CCS reported a need for psychosocial support, only 7.3% reported currently using a professional support offer. Lastly, attachment orientations also played a role in whether CCS voiced such a need when experiencing distress: Attachment anxiety moderated the relationship between suicidal ideation and the expression of a need for support, diminishing help-seeking. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating attachment-informed approaches in the long-term care of CCS. Tailored interventions addressing the interpersonal and emotional needs shaped by attachment styles could enhance resilience and mitigate barriers to seeking psychosocial support.
Authors
Tröster Tröster, Hermann Hermann, Beutel Beutel, Schwinn Schwinn, Hirschmiller Hirschmiller, Wiltink Wiltink, Brähler Brähler, Merzenich Merzenich, Faber Faber, Wild Wild, Ernst Ernst
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