Currently accepted at: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Feb 27, 2026
Date Accepted: Sep 12, 2026
This paper has been accepted and is currently in production.
It will appear shortly on 10.2196/91765
The final accepted version (not copyedited yet) is in this tab.
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Using cognitive interviewing to assess feasibility and acceptability of Network Canvas platform for social network data collection among adolescent/young adult cancer survivors (AYACS): A pilot study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Little is known about adolescent/young adult cancer survivors’ (AYACS) social network composition, despite its importance for adolescent/young adult development. We assessed feasibility and acceptability of collecting AYACS’ social network data using the Network Canvas platform, and described their social networks.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess feasibility and acceptability of collecting social network data among AYACS, and to describe a preliminary sample of AYACS' social networks.
Methods:
We used cognitive interviewing, a qualitative method to assess survey comprehension and usability to assess feasibility and acceptability of a Network Canvas survey among 10 AYACS. Participants (i.e., egos) were asked about people in their networks (i.e., alters) pre-cancer diagnosis (via recall) and post-cancer diagnosis (current). Data was collected on ego-alter relationships about: 1) Health discussions; 2) Communication; 3) Informational, financial, and emotional social support; and 4) Relationship strength.
Results:
Feasibility: All 10 participants completed the Network Canvas survey. Acceptability: When asked if they would use Network Canvas again, participants overall answered positively. Social network descriptives: Average ego age was 6 years (range 1-17) at diagnosis and 22 (range 18-29) at interview. Networks averaged 7.2 alters. Networks contained a higher proportion of friends post-cancer diagnosis. From pre- to post-cancer diagnosis, discussion of physical and mental/emotional health within the same ego-alter relationships increased (50% to 58%; 28% to 56%, respectively). Among alters with whom relationships were stronger post-cancer diagnosis, in-person contact was the modal communication type (37%). Alters who provided social support showed high retention over time. Egos with quantitatively larger networks had qualitatively sparser networks (based on proportion of closer alter-alter relationships), and a lower proportion of strengthened ego-alter relationships post-cancer diagnosis.
Conclusions:
Network Canvas usage among AYACS was feasible and acceptable. We found quantitative and qualitative network changes following a diagnosis, which may parallel normal adolescent/young adult development. This work provides a foundation for future studies, psychosocial programming, and identification of those at risk for social disconnect. Clinical Trial: N/A
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