Therapeutic Alliance and Group Cohesion in an Online Support Program for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Lessons from "Recapture Life"

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2017 Dec;6(4):568-572. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2017.0001. Epub 2017 Jun 5.

Abstract

Psychological support services for adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are moving online and are increasingly peer based. It is unclear whether online service delivery impacts critical therapeutic elements such as collaborative patient-therapist rapport and group cohesion. AYA cancer survivors (N = 39) participating in a six-week online cognitive-behavioral therapy group program-"Recapture Life"-rated their perception of therapeutic alliance and group cohesion. Participant-rated alliance and group cohesion were high throughout the program, and therapist-rated participant openness, trust, and motivation strengthened over time. The findings provide further support for the expansion of AYA cancer support services to the online domain.

Keywords: internet; intervention; psychosocial; supportive care; survivorship.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cancer Survivors / education*
  • Cancer Survivors / psychology
  • Education, Distance / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Quality of Life
  • Social Support*
  • Young Adult