Predicting and Comparing the Subjective Health Experience of Older Cancer Survivors and Non‐Cancer Survivors: A Modeling Approach

ABSTRACT Introduction Around 25% of the global population faces cancer in their lifetime, with many older cancer survivors enduring lasting treatment effects and risk of recurrence, which negatively impacts their subjective health experience. To ameliorate their subjective health experience, it is essential to comprehend its key predictors. Contemporary literature identifies frailty and vitality alongside acceptance and control as principal predictors. However, thus far they have not been integrated into a composite model. Therefore, this study substantiates a composite model integrating these predictors and compares its outcomes between older cancer survivors and non‐cancer survivors. Methods An online questionnaire assessing sample characteristics, frailty, vitality, acceptance, control, and subjective health experience was administered to 753 older adults comprising 150 cancer survivors and 603 non‐cancer survivors. Data were subjected to descriptive, reliability, validity, and model analyses. Results Frailty is more negatively linked to acceptance and control in older cancer survivors but has a weaker, non‐significant connection to subjective health experience compared to non‐cancer survivors. Vitality is positively associated with all variables. Control strongly impacted acceptance in both groups but has a non‐significant positive link to subjective health in cancer survivors, unlike the significant negative link in non‐cancer survivors. Acceptance positively influenced subjective health experiences equally in both groups. The moderate indirect negative effect of frailty on subjective health experience is more pronounced in older cancer survivors than non‐cancer survivors. Vitality, acceptance, and their interaction with control constituted key mediators. The composite model explained more variance in the subjective health experience of older cancer survivors than non‐cancer survivors. Conclusion The analysis underscores the significant influence of frailty and vitality on the subjective health experience of older cancer survivors, with acceptance and control emerging as salient mediators. These findings affirm the conceptual and empirical robustness of the model, highlighting its potential utility in shaping future interventions for older cancer survivors.