Background: Having cancer during childhood and facing its consequences might affect the development of self-esteem of young cancer survivors. Later in life, self-esteem can play a role in how one...Show moreBackground: Having cancer during childhood and facing its consequences might affect the development of self-esteem of young cancer survivors. Later in life, self-esteem can play a role in how one feels in romantic relationships or in singlehood, which might affect how satisfied one feels with their current relationship status. Additionally, self-esteem can affect self-disclosure regarding cancer in romantic relationships of young adult cancer survivors. Aim: Hence, the present study investigated whether survivors with different levels of self-esteem differ in the difficulty to disclose their cancer history to (potential) romantic partners. It was hypothesized that survivors with lower self-esteem levels had more difficulties disclosing a cancer diagnosis to (potential) romantic partners than survivors with higher self-esteem levels. Additionally, it was examined whether self-esteem adds to survivors' relationship status satisfaction next to their current relationship status. It was hypothesized that relationship status and self-esteem contribute to how satisfied survivors are with their current relationship status. Methods: A sample of 497 young adult cancer survivors, who were diagnosed with cancer before they were 18 years old and have been at least five years past their diagnosis were asked to answer questionnaires regarding their self-esteem, difficulties regarding cancer disclosure and relationship status satisfaction using a cross-sectional design. Results: An ANCOVA revealed that survivors with lower self-esteem levels experience more difficulties disclosing a cancer history to (potential) romantic partners than survivors with higher levels of self-esteem, indicating a small effect size. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that relationship status and self-esteem significantly contributed to relationship status satisfaction, with a bigger role of relationship status than of self-esteem. Conclusion: Overall, self-esteem appears to be little relevant for cancer disclosure or relationship status satisfaction. Relationship status is most important for this satisfaction. So, survivors who have a committed romantic partner are more satisfied with their status than survivors who are single. More research is needed to investigate this satisfaction in older survivors or current patients. Moreover, future studies should investigate whether situational factors play a role for survivors who have more difficulties disclosing a cancer history to (potential) romantic partners.Show less
