Understanding the relationship between positive and negative social support and the quality of life among African American breast cancer survivors
- 25 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Supportive Care in Cancer
- Vol. 29 (9), 5219-5226
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06098-9
Abstract
Purpose Social support improves several quality of life (QOL) domains among African American breast cancer survivors. How different dimensions of social support are associated with QOL among African American breast cancer survivors may however differ from other populations. This study explores this hypothesis by examining associations of positive social support (supportive interactions that promote affection) and negative social support (non-supportive interactions wherein the provider of support may not have the best intended actions) with QOL among Chicago-based African American breast cancer survivors. Methods Study participants were eligible if they (1) were identified as being an African American female, (2) were at least 18 years of age or older, and (3) were diagnosed with breast cancer during or after navigation was implemented at the study hospital. Participants completed validated questionnaires via telephone or in-person interviews. Results Among our sample of 100 participants, positive support was associated with greater mental well-being in non-imputed (Std β=1.60, CI: 0.51, 2.69, p= 0.004) and imputed models (Std β= 1.67, CI: 0.68, 2.73, p=0.001). There was also a weaker inverse association with negative support and mental well-being when using non-imputed data (Std β=−0.82, CI:−1.65, 0.02, p= 0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that positive support, in particular, is highly influential for improving mental well-being among African American breast cancer survivors. Simultaneously, negative support appears to be an independent, albeit weaker, determinant of mental well-being.Funding Information
- National Cancer Institute (R21CA215252)
This publication has 42 references indexed in Scilit:
- Social networks, social support mechanisms, and quality of life after breast cancer diagnosisBreast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2013
- Misconceptions about Breast Lumps and Delayed Medical Presentation in Urban Breast Cancer PatientsCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2010
- Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and HealthQualitative Health Research, 2010
- Social Constraints on Disclosure and Adjustment to CancerSocial and Personality Psychology Compass, 2007
- Perceived helpfulness and impact of social support provided by family, friends, and health care providers to women newly diagnosed with breast cancerPsycho‐Oncology, 2007
- Posttreatment Breast Cancer Surveillance and Follow-up Care Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors of African DescentCancer Nursing, 2006
- A 12-Item Short-Form Health SurveyMedical Care, 1996
- Study protocol for the World Health Organization project to develop a Quality of Life assessment instrument (WHOQOL)Quality of Life Research, 1993
- Psychological interventions for cancer patients to enhance the quality of life.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1992
- Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis.Psychological Bulletin, 1985