Multiple changes typically occur across the social trajectory of brain tumor, including a loss of pre-illness networks and the emergence of new ones. Understanding the barriers and facilitators for maintaining social connection may guide interventions for strengthening social networks and enhancing well-being in the context of brain tumor. Implications for rehabilitation Social networks and roles are disrupted throughout the entire trajectory of living with brain tumor Physical, cognitive and psychological factors represent barriers to social integration Barriers to social integration may be addressed by supportive care interventions Compensatory strategies, adjusting goals and expectations, educating friends and family and accepting support from others facilitate social reintegration throughout the trajectory of living with brain tumor.

Glioma is a common type of brain tumour that is associated with neurocognitive and psychosocial impairments. This study primarily aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing format of the Making Sense of Brain Tumour (Tele-MAST) programme. Recruited from a multidisciplinary brain tumour clinic, participants were randomly allocated to the 10-session Tele-MAST programme or standard care, with the latter group offered Tele-MAST after reassessment. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of receiving psychological support via the videoconferencing platform. Measures of mental health and quality of life were administered at pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments. Of the 35 patients deemed eligible for the study, 14 (40% accrual) with high grade (71%) or low grade (29%) glioma participated. They were randomized to the Tele-MAST condition (n = 8) or standard care/waitlist (n = 6). Ten individuals commenced the Tele-MAST programme, of whom eight completed ≥8 sessions. The major themes that depicted their experience of the Tele-MAST programme were ease of access and benefits of remote delivery, tailored support and immediacy, and sense of connection versus disconnection. Most participants (63%) demonstrated clinically reliable improvement at postintervention. These preliminary findings support the feasibility and acceptability of remote delivery of psychological support and highlight the need for a larger-scale evaluation of the Tele-MAST programme.

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Objective Functional impairments can lower psychological well‐being after brain tumor. Changes in social groups and confidence in support potentially impact this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social group memberships (SGMs) on the relationship between perceived cognitive and physical impairment and psychological well‐being. Methods Seventy adults (60% female) with primary brain tumor (46% benign; 18% low grade; 36% high grade) aged 22 to 75 years undertook a brief cognitive test (Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone) then completed self‐report measures of cognitive and physical impairment (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy), social groups (Exeter Identity Transition Scale), confidence in social support (Self‐Efficacy Scale), depression (depression scale of the 21‐item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scale), and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale). The mediating and moderating effects of SGMs were tested using a bootstrapping method and PROCESS macro. Results Greater perceived cognitive and physical impairments were significantly related to poorer psychological well‐being. Mediation analyses indicated significant indirect effects of social group loss for depression and anxiety (P < .05), whereby the relationship between perceived functional impairment and depression and anxiety was partly accounted for by loss of SGMs. Confidence in social groups was a moderator for depression and anxiety (P < .001), such that those perceiving high levels of physical and cognitive impairments who were more confident in their social groups reported lower depression and anxiety. Conclusions Functional impairment is in part related to higher levels of depression and anxiety through loss of social groups. However, greater confidence in social support can buffer the effects of functional impairment on psychological well‐being after brain tumor. Interventions focusing on ways to maintain social participation and supportive relationships may be beneficial.