The relationship between cancer survivors’ well-being and participation in work, activities of daily living and social engagement: Findings from the European Social Survey (2014)

Background: The prevalence of cancer survivors in Europe continues to escalate, creating a need to develop high-quality oncology rehabilitation services. To do so, it is important to understand the relationship between cancer survivors’ occupational participation and their subjective well-being. Aim: To examine the association between cancer survivors’ subjective well-being and participation in paid employment, activities of daily living (ADLs) and social engagement. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed secondary data from the European Social Survey (2014). Data from cancer survivors (n = 2375) across 19 European countries were analysed. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between occupational participation factors and well-being, while controlling for known confounders. Results: The statistical models explained 26–30% of the variance in cancer survivors’ well-being. Being hampered in ADLs was associated with decreased life-satisfaction, adjusted OR = 0.7 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.86) and increased odds of depression, adjusted OR = 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.78). Paid employment was associated with increased life-satisfaction adjusted OR = 2.34 (95% CI: 1.61, 3.4). Social engagement was associated with decreased depression adjusted OR = 0.9 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.99). Differences in well-being by gender, age and cancer status were found. Conclusion: Participation in paid employment, ADLs and social engagement were associated with cancer survivor’s well-being. Research evaluating occupational therapy interventions within oncology rehabilitation should be prioritized.