Impact of Bright IDEAS-YA Skills Training on Psychosocial Well-Being in Young Adults with Cancer

Overview

This randomized clinical trial evaluated Bright IDEAS-YA, a tailored problem-solving skills training intervention, in young adults (18-39 years) undergoing cancer therapy. The intervention demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at 6 months post-enrollment compared with enhanced usual care.

Background

Young adults diagnosed with cancer face unique emotional, social, and practical challenges that can disrupt critical developmental milestones. These unmet needs contribute to increased emotional distress and reduced HRQOL. Despite growing awareness, few evidence-based psychosocial interventions specifically target this population during active cancer treatment. Problem-solving skills training, such as Bright IDEAS, offers a promising approach by equipping individuals with flexible coping strategies to manage diverse stressors.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Bright IDEAS-YA significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms at 6 months compared to enhanced usual care.
• Participants receiving Bright IDEAS-YA showed improved health-related quality of life relative to controls.
• Improvements in problem-solving ability mediated the positive effects on psychosocial outcomes.
• The intervention was feasible and acceptable with strong participant engagement and satisfaction.
• Bright IDEAS-YA was tailored to young adults by simplifying materials, reducing sessions, and incorporating age-relevant examples.
• Potential moderators such as financial strain and baseline distress were explored to understand differential treatment effects.

Clinical Implications

Bright IDEAS-YA offers a practical, developmentally appropriate psychosocial intervention for young adults undergoing cancer therapy, addressing a broad range of emotional and practical challenges. Incorporating problem-solving skills training into standard care may reduce distress and enhance quality of life during a highly stressful period following diagnosis. Clinicians should consider integrating structured problem-solving approaches to support this vulnerable population.

Conclusion

Bright IDEAS-YA is an effective, tailored problem-solving skills training intervention that improves psychosocial well-being in young adults with cancer. Its implementation can help meet the unmet emotional and practical needs of this population during active treatment.

References

1. Devine et al. 2024 -- Impact of Bright IDEAS-YA Skills Training on Psychosocial Well-Being in Young Adults Diagnosed with Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial