Dyadic and social network influences on health and well-being among young adults with cancer

During the K01 period, I will fill critical gaps in my training through meeting five training goals: 1) enhance knowledge in the dyadic functioning of couples with cancer with a focus on young adults (YAs) with cancer and their partners (primary mentor: Sharon Manne, PhD, co-mentor: Katie Devine, PhD); 2) training in the administration and analysis of qualitative dyadic data (co-mentor: Cui Yang, PhD); 3) develop specialized skills in the assessment, analysis and interpretation of social network analysis and ecological momentary assessment data (co-mentor: Cui Yang, PhD); 4) expertise in inflammatory stress-related biomarkers (co-mentor: Anita Kinney, PhD); and 5) conceptual and practical knowledge in analyzing dyadic (among couples) and longitudinal data (co-mentor: Elizabeth Handorf, PhD). These training goals and expert mentorship are designed to support my long-term career goal of becoming an independent investigator identifying and addressing the unique needs and experiences of young adult couples with cancer (YACs), ultimately leading to the development of evidence- based biobehavioral interventions to address YACs unmet needs and enhance their long-term quality of life. Cancer among YACs is a profoundly distressing experience, extracting a significant toll on YACs relationships (e.g., with partners, family, friends). It is well recognized that effective communication within social relationships is critical for fostering health and well-being of couples coping with cancer. Yet, only a few studies are focused on YACs and their dyadic (couple) communication about cancer-related concerns. Even less is known about YACs social networks and interactions within those networks that are most helpful in facilitating well-being. This stalls the development of effective interventions aimed at improving the quality of survivorship for YA survivor and partner. The overall goal of this K01 proposal is to fill a critical gap in the literature by focusing on YACs, exploring their unique needs and experiences, and assessing their dyadic and social network influences on relational, well-being, and stress-related outcomes. This will be achieved through three Specific Aims. First, to adequately capture the YAC experience I will conduct qualitative interviews among 15 YACs to explore how communication within their social relationships facilitates relationship satisfaction and well-being and protects against perceived stress. Second, using social network analysis (SNA) and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys I will characterize YACs social networks and daily social interactions and communication behaviors among 75 YACs. Finally, using SNA and EMA findings I will examine the effects of YACs social network structure and composition, and daily dyadic and social network communication behaviors (e.g., disclosure, responsiveness) on relationship satisfaction, well-being, and physiological responding (salivary biomarkers). My prior training grounded in psycho-oncology, coupled with the skills and knowledge I will acquire during this award period, will equip me to successfully conduct the proposed research and position me to continue my work focused on fostering the long-term health and well-being of this vulnerable and understudied YAC population. Project Number: 1K01CA297648-01A1 | Fiscal Year: 2025 | NIH Institute/Center: National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Principal Investigator: Katie Darabos | Institution: RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES, Newark, NJ | Award Amount: $197,414 | Activity Code: K01 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZCA1 RTRB-U (M1)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11230425