Article
Counseling Preferences of Young Adults with Cancer.
The Professional Counselor
(2017)
Abstract
This study examined preferences for counseling topics to discuss in individual, group, and family
counseling among young adults with cancer, as well as their ranked preferences for attending individual,
group, and family counseling. A sample of 320 young adults with cancer (18–39 years old) completed an
online survey containing items relevant to young adults’ psychosocial needs. Participants rated anxiety,
finances, sad feelings, sexual and intimacy concerns, and stress management as most helpful for individual
counseling; finding social support and getting information about one’s medical situation as most helpful
for group counseling; and no topics as most helpful for family counseling. Participants rated individual
counseling as their primary choice of counseling modality, followed by group counseling, and lastly
family counseling. Counselors may help young adult clients by familiarizing themselves with the unique
experience of being diagnosed with cancer at an early age, as well as providing age-specific in-person
support and counseling group opportunities.
Disciplines
Publication Date
October 1, 2017
DOI
10.15241/jzt.7.3.259
Citation Information
Jessica Z. Taylor and Susan Kashubeck-West. "Counseling Preferences of Young Adults with Cancer." The Professional Counselor Vol. 7 Iss. 3 (2017) p. 259 - 271 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/susan-kashubeck-west/42/