Evidence mapPaperPMID 40818941Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Impact of loneliness on depression among cancer survivors: a comparison between adolescents and young adults and other age groups.

Ken Kurisu, Masako Okamura, Keiko Ozawa, Saki Harashima, Kazuhiro Yoshiuchi, Yosuke Uchitomi, Maiko Fujimori

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ken KurisuDepartment of Cancer Survivorship and Digital Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Masako OkamuraDivision of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Keiko OzawaDivision of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Saki HarashimaDivision of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Kazuhiro YoshiuchiDepartment of Stress Sciences and Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Yosuke UchitomiDepartment of Cancer Survivorship and Digital Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Maiko FujimoriDivision of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan. mfujimor@ncc.go.jp.

Funding

JST RISTEX Japan JPMJRS23K1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNumerous studies have suggested an association between loneliness and depression in cancer survivors, particularly adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This study aimed to develop a causal model linking loneliness to depression using structural equation modeling.

methodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted to collect demographic information and psychosocial measures, including the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, EQ-5D-5L, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support short form, Brief Resilience Scale, Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity, and a single item on cancer-related stigma. Structural equation modeling with observed variables was conducted, focusing on the pathway from loneliness to depression. Multiple-group analysis was used to compare AYAs and non-AYAs.

resultsThe study included 3,565 cancer survivors, of whom 743 (20.8%) were AYAs. The final model showed a significant association between loneliness and depression (standardized coefficient = 0.214; 95% confidence interval = 0.184–0.243; P < 0.001). Perceived social support, resilience, financial toxicity, and stigma were directly or indirectly related to loneliness and depression. Female sex and having a spouse or partner were associated with perceived social support, whereas non-job-related social participation was associated with loneliness. The association between loneliness and depression was significantly stronger among AYAs than non-AYAs.

conclusionsThe results suggested a significant link between loneliness and depression, with a stronger pathway in AYAs. Loneliness may serve as a modifiable mediator for interventions targeting depression prevention among AYA cancer survivors. The psychosocial variables identified could aid in screening high-risk individuals and developing effective interventions.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsDepressionLonelinessNeoplasmsAdolescentAdultAge FactorsCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleSocial SupportSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAdolescents and young adultsCancerDepressionLonelinessStructural equation modeling

Identifiers

PMID40818941
PMCPMC12357444

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.