Engaging Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer via a Social Support App.

VIEW ALL MEDIA I HAVE HELPED PRODUCE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

this project will develop and evaluate the visual design of a peer-to-peer social support app to increase engagement (seeking and sharing support) among young adults with cancer.

Proposal Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) affected by cancer are a health disparity group with few age-appropriate resources dedicated to their unique psychosocial and health needs, despite the approximately 70,000 diagnoses each year in the US. Specifically, social support is one of the most prominent unmet issues AYAs face. AYAs struggle to find peers experiencing their diagnoses and often suffer from social isolation, compounded by debilitating life disruptions, such as extended absences from school and work. Lack of social support is associated with poorer physiological and physical functioning and increased sensitivity to stressors; conversely, AYAs who experience adequate social support report less psychological distress and improved quality of life. Read more.

i was on this project from may 2020 - january 2021.

I found Dr. Lazard and her team after receiving funding from UNC-CH through their Excel@Carolina program for summer research.

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my role: research assistant

As a research assistant on this team, I have:

  • Conducted cognitive testing interviews with participants over Zoom to gather feedback on a peer-to-peer support app (prototype) for cancer survivors;

  • Polished and de-identified interview transcripts conducted by the PI and research team prior to my onboarding;

  • Coded interview transcripts with useful keywords for the purpose of future analysis;

  • Designed and co-written a brief for advocacy groups with summarized primary findings, located below;

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the principal investigator

Allison Lazard, Associate Professor at UNC Hussman School of Journalism & Media, conducts research revolving “around a core interest in how visual design influences message perception and engagement in the digital environment where individuals encounter visual messages at unprecedented rates” (according to UNC Hussman School of Journalism & Media).

Allison Lazard’s Personal Website

This project has received grant funding through the American Cancer Society, as identified below:

American Cancer Society (ACS) 133694-PEP-19-154-01-PCSM. “Engaging Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer via a Social Support App.” $144,000. 11% Effort in Years 1-2.

media

Hearing from Young Adults with Cancer About Their Online Social Support

Lazard, A., Varma, T., Collins, M., Hedrick, A. (2020). Hearing from Young Adults with Cancer About Their Online Social Support. (LEFT)

Final Presentation for Excel@Carolina Accelerated Summer Research Program. (RIGHT)