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Young adults (YAs), defined as individuals between the ages of 18 and 39 years, experience unique challenges when diagnosed with advanced cancer. Using the social constructivist grounded theory approach, we aimed to develop a theoretical understanding of how YAs live day to day with their diagnosis. A sample of 25 YAs (aged 22–39 years) with advanced cancer from across Canada participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings illustrate that the YAs described day-to-day life as an oscillating experience swinging between two opposing disease outcomes: (1) hoping for a cure and (2) facing the possibility of premature death. Oscillating between these potential outcomes was characterized as living in a liminal space wherein participants were unsure how to live from one day to the next. The participants oscillated at various rates, with different factors influencing the rate of oscillation, including inconsistent and poor messaging from their oncologists or treatment team, progression or regression of their cancer, and changes in their physical functioning and mental health. These findings provide a theoretical framework for designing interventions to help YAs adapt to their circumstance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Caregivers of patients with cancer cope with socioemotional challenges, which can adversely affect their well-being. We developed an intervention, expressive writing and reading (EWR), to promote emotional processing and social connectedness among caregivers. In a single-arm pilot study, we assessed its feasibility and perceived usefulness. Methods: Caregivers participated in weekly 1.5-hour EWR workshops offered over 20 weeks. After 4 sessions, they completed semistructured interviews, which were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. Findings: Of 65 caregivers approached, 25 were eligible, 18 consented, and 9 (50%) caregivers completed at least 4 workshops and the interview. Their responses revealed 3 themes: "inner processing," "interpersonal learning," and "enhanced processing and preparedness." Perceived benefits of EWR included emotional and cognitive processing (individual and collaborative), learning from the emotions and experiences of other caregivers, and preparing for upcoming challenges. Conclusions: Expressive writing and reading can be a safe and cost-effective supportive intervention for caregivers of patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-related complex medical conditions have been commonly reported among adolescents and young adults with advanced life-limiting illness. There is increasing interest in exploring their palliative care needs and end-of-life experiences. Aim: This scoping review aimed to explore the available literature about providing palliative and end-of-life care to adolescents and young adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses. Design: Scoping review. This review was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/SPTD7). Data sources: Electronic databases (MEDLINEALL, Embase, Emcare, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial CENTRAL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), Google Scholar and reference lists were searched up to October 2021. We included studies reporting on adolescents and/or young adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses. There were no limitations concerning location, type of illness or study design. Results: We identified 51 studies published between 2002 and 2021. Most studies were published in the United States (n = 34, 67%), and nine studies (18%) reported exclusively on patients with non-malignant illnesses. Two thirds of the identified studies were case reports and retrospective chart reviews (n = 33). Three main topics were identified: Physical symptom burden (n = 26, 51%), Psychological and social needs (n = 33, 65%), and end-of-life care (n = 30, 59%). Twenty-six studies (51%) were focused only on one topic, and the age range used to identify adolescents and young adults varied based on the study location. Conclusion: The findings of this review shed light on the different palliative care experiences and knowledge gaps related to adolescents and young adults as an underserved and vulnerable patient population. Further research needs to be dedicated toward palliative care programs tailored for adolescents and young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racial disparities in conviction and incarceration have been lamentable features of legal systems for a long time. Research has addressed the attitudes and decisions of police, prosecutors, jurors, and judges in contributing to these disparities, but very little attention has been paid to defendants' own team members—i.e., criminal defense attorneys. Researchers have specifically identified this as a "scholarly gap". To address this, we conducted an empirical study of criminal defense attorneys practicing in forty-three U.S. states (N = 327). The attorneys completed both an implicit measure designed to capture racial bias (a race Implicit Association Test) and an explicit measure designed to capture interpersonal regard for clients. The results provided support for longstanding, but previously speculative, assertions of bias in criminal defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]