The Association of Social Support and Coping Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Patients

(1) Background: Evidence suggests that organizational processes of hospitals have an impact on patient-professional interactions. Within the nurse-patient interaction, nurses play a key role providing social support. Factors influencing the nurse-patient interaction have seldomly been researched. We aimed to examine whether the process organization in hospitals is associated with breast cancer patients’ perceived social support from nurses.; (2) Methods: Data analysis based on a cross-sectional patient survey (2979 breast cancer patients, 83 German hospitals) and information on hospital structures. Associations between process organization and perceived social support were analyzed with logistic hierarchical regression models adjusted for patient characteristics and hospital structures.; (3) Results: Most patients were 40–69 years old and classified with UICC stage II or III. Native language, age and hospital ownership status showed significant associations to the perception of social support. Patients treated in hospitals with better process organization at admission (OR 3.61; 95%-CI 1.67, 7.78) and during the hospital stay (OR 2.11; 95%-CI 1.04; 4.29) perceived significantly more social support from nurses.; (4) Conclusions: Designing a supportive nursing work environment and improving process organization in hospitals may create conditions conducive for a supportive patient-nurse interaction. More research is needed to better understand mechanisms behind the associations found.

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Breast-Cancer Patients’ Participation Behavior and Coping During Presurgical Consultations: A Pilot Study

Health Communication ◽

10.1080/10410236.2014.943633 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 19-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Maria K. Venetis ◽

Jeffrey D. Robinson ◽

Thomas Kearney

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

And Coping

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What mediates the racial/ethnic disparity in psychosocial stress among breast cancer patients?

Cancer Causes & Control ◽

10.1007/s10552-021-01392-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

C. T. Sánchez-Díaz ◽

S. Strayhorn ◽

S. Tejeda ◽

G. Vijayasiri ◽

G. H. Rauscher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Social Support ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Psychosocial Stress ◽

Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Support Needs ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Hispanic Patients ◽

Racial Ethnic

Abstract Background Prior studies have observed greater levels of psychosocial stress (PSS) among non-Hispanic (nH) African American and Hispanic women when compared to nH White patients after a breast cancer diagnosis. We aimed to determine the independent and interdependent roles of socioeconomic position (SEP) and unmet support in the racial disparity in PSS among breast cancer patients. Methods Participants were recruited from the Breast Cancer Care in Chicago study (n = 989). For all recently diagnosed breast cancer patients, aged 25–79, income, education, and tract-level disadvantage and affluence were summed to create a standardized socioeconomic position (SEP) score. Three measures of PSS related to loneliness, perceived stress, and psychological consequences of a breast cancer diagnosis were defined based on previously validated scales. Five domains of unmet social support needs (emotional, spiritual, informational, financial, and practical) were defined from interviews. We conducted path models in MPlus to estimate the extent to which PSS disparities were mediated by SEP and unmet social support needs. Results Black and Hispanic patients reported greater PSS compared to white patients and greater unmet social support needs (p = 0.001 for all domains). Virtually all of the disparity in PSS could be explained by SEP. A substantial portion of the mediating influence of SEP was further transmitted by unmet financial and practical needs among Black patients and by unmet emotional needs for Hispanic patients. Conclusions SEP appeared to be a root cause of the racial/ethnic disparities in PSS within our sample. Our findings further suggest that different interventions may be necessary to alleviate the burden of SEP for nH AA (i.e., more financial support) and Hispanic patients (i.e., more emotional support).

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Received and perceived support subscales of the Berlin Social Support Scales in women diagnosed with breast cancer attending the breast clinic at Tygerberg hospital: structure and correlates

South African Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1177/0081246319831819 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 54-66

Author(s):

Rizwana Roomaney ◽

Ashraf Kagee ◽

Nina Knoll

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Social Support ◽

South Africa ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Care Facility ◽

Public Health Care ◽

Perceived Support ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Breast Clinic

Research in the field of psycho-oncology in South Africa is increasing, and there is a need for validated measures that assess factors associated with cancer, such as social support. The Berlin Social Support Scales are a battery of instruments that measure various types and functions of social support. The measure was originally developed for use among adult cancer patients, and their partners but has also been used among other clinical populations and healthy adults. We investigated the psychometric properties of the English version of the perceived and received sub-scales, Berlin Social Support Scales. Our sample included South African women ( N = 201) who were diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving treatment at a public health care facility. We administered several measures, including a demographic questionnaire, the Berlin Social Support subscales, the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy to participants. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted. Factor analysis resulted in the retention of 17 items that clustered on two factors, namely received support and perceived support. The 17-item version of the Berlin Social Support Scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity in the sample. The two subscales are quick to administer, easy to interpret, and are a reliable measure of social support among breast cancer patients in South Africa.

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Breast Cancer: Preparing for Surgery

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-fy899-2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2007 (15) ◽

Author(s):

Martha C. Monroe ◽

Barbara F. Shea

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Medical Procedures ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Fact Sheet ◽

Before And After ◽

And Coping

FCS8829, a 4-page fact sheet by Martha C. Monroe and Barbara F. Shea, is intended for breast cancer patients who are preparing for their lumpectomy or mastectomy surgery. It helps patients understand what to expect before and after surgery. Includes information on understanding medical procedures and coping physically and psychologically. Also features quotes and experiences from other breast cancer patients. Published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, April 2007.

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