The main purpose of this study was to explore the adaptation process of adolescent cancer survivors and their effective social support network. The participants of this study were 8 adolescents and young adult cancer(AYA) survivors (diagnosed as cancer at 11～18 years of age) who finished their cancer treatment 6 months to 5 years ago. In-depth interview was attempted to identify their experiences during and after their treatment. The period for data collection was from March to May, 2013. Transcribed data was analysed through latent content analysis method.

The results of this study were as follows,
1) The adaptation process of adolescent cancer survivors during their treatment was identified as 5 categories, ‘be catapulted from the orbit’, ‘stand at the very center of discomfort’, ‘fall behind the line’, ‘accept the changes’, and ‘be grown up.’
2) The adaptation process of adolescent cancer survivors after the treatment was identified as 5 categories, ‘get a shackle’, ‘face the forgotten real life’, ‘rise from the reality’, ‘become a grown-up’, and ‘go into the new orbit.’
3) The actual members of the adolescent cancer survivors’ social support network during and after their cancer treatment were ‘family and relatives’, ‘friends’, ‘other cancer patients and their families’, ‘health care providers’, ‘teachers’, ‘formal services’, ‘online community’, and ‘club’,
4) ‘Family and relatives’ act as ‘a nest’, ‘a prop’, ‘a guide for their life’, and ‘a mesh’. ‘Friends’ play a role as ‘a hometown in heart’, ‘a guardian angel’, and ‘a helper being in the outside of the fence’. ‘Other cancer patients and their families’ helped the participants as ‘a tutorial’, ‘a greenhouse’, and ‘a supporter’. ‘Health care providers’ are ‘the stepping-stone’, ‘a genial advocate’, and ‘an idol’ to them. ‘Teachers’ are providers of ‘a link for help’ and they are the participant’s ‘back.’ ‘Formal services’ act as ‘a Daddy Long Legs’. ‘Online community’ plays a role as ‘Hae-Woo-So(It means ’a toilet’ in Buddhism’, but also have meaning of ‘a place to satisfy one’s worry).’ Lastly, ’Club’ plays a role as ‘a vitamin’ in participants’ life.

In conclusion, while the adolescent cancer survivors adapted to their changing situations after their cancer diagnosis, internalized adjustment as well as the social support from their social network played an significant role. Furthermore, adolescent cancer survivors constructed their own social support network around them with various members. These results can be considered as base line data for developing individualized nursing interventions to promote adolescent cancer survivor’s psychosocial adjustment during and after their cancer treatment.