This scoping review was conducted to understand the extent, range, and nature of current research on adolescents and young adults (AYA) with
cancer and distress, depression, and anxiety (
DDA). This information is necessary to find and aggregate valuable data on the AYA population embedded in generalized studies of
DDA. Keyword searches of six relevant electronic databases identified 2156 articles, with 316 selected for abstract review and 40 for full text review. Full-text reviews and data extraction resulted in 34 studies being included, which ranged widely in design, sample size, age-range categorization, analysis methods,
DDA measurement tool, overall study rigor, and quality of evidence. Studies very seldom reported using theory to guide their age categorization, with only four studies giving any rationale for their age-group definitions. All 34 studies found a significant association between at least one
DDA construct and the younger age group relative to the older age groups at some point along the
cancer trajectory. However, age as an independent risk factor for
DDA is still unclear, as the relationship could be confounded by other age-related factors. Despite the wide range of definitions and effect sizes in the studies included in this review, one thing is clear: adolescents and young adults, however defined, are a distinct group within the
cancer population with an elevated risk of
DDA. Widespread adoption of a standard AYA age-range definition will be essential to any future meta-analytical psycho-oncology research in this population.