Determinants of participation in social support groups for prostate cancer patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aims at determining factors related to the intention to participate and actual participation in social support groups for prostate cancer patients, using the framework of the theory of planned behavior. The factors studied are background variables, medical variables, psychosocial variables and attitude, social norms and perceived control.Methods: From various sources, 238 prostate cancer patients were recruited. The patients filled out a questionnaire, containing standardized instruments on several psychosocial problems and social support, besides questions on demographic and medical characteristics. A specific questionnaire was developed to assess attitude, social norms and perceived control concerning the participation in support groups. From the recruited men, 48 participated in one of the support groups organized by the researchers.Results: Logistic regression revealed that age, lack of social support, a positive attitude and a high perceive control are predictive for the intention to participate in a social support group. Perceived control and the number of prostate-specific problems did predict the factual participation.Conclusion: Many prostate cancer patients report psychosocial problems. A more positive attitude towards group participation and the availability of support groups at short travel distance facilitates the interest in and the factual group participation.Practical implications: Urologist and urological nurses can play a role in creating a more positive attitude towards group participation, especially if the social support system is weak. Groups should be organized close to patients' place of residence.

Personal Background and Cognitive Factors as Predictors of the Intention to be Screened for Stomach Cancer

“…Insight about factors that facilitate or impede participation in the stomach cancer screening program may be helpful in improving participation rates. Most studies conducted in other countries have focused on participation in breast (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) or prostate cancer (16,17) screening programs, which is one reason that these two cancers are the most frequently diagnosed in both women and men. Given that stomach cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Korea, this study focused on the intention to receive stomach cancer screening.…”

“…Using the theory of planned behavior model, some health-behavior studies have proposed that sociodemographic factors, previous screening experience, economic status, and perceived risk may affect not only intention and behavior but also attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (8,11,16,17,21,22).…”

Factores predictores de solicitud de ayuda psicológica en los meses inmediatos al diagnóstico oncológico

“…Así, en un estudio con 238 pacientes con cáncer de próstata, Voerman et al, (2) observaron que 136 pacientes no estuvieron interesados en participar en grupos de apoyo, que 55 pacientes estuvieron interesados, pero que no llegaron a participar, y que sólo 47 pacientes interesados llegaron, finalmente, a participar en dichos grupos. Por su parte, Baker-Glenn et al, (3) , en un grupo de 128 pacientes que iban a iniciar quimioterapia observaron que sólo un 20% de los pacientes que no mostraban malestar emocional deseaban recibir ayuda psicológica, aumentando hasta un 36% en el caso de los pacientes que cumplían los criterios de malestar emocional, según su puntuación en el HADS.…”

“…Se ha evaluado a pacientes con diversos diagnósticos y en diversos momentos del ciclo oncológico (4,5) ; pacientes en diferentes momentos del ciclo oncológico, aunque con un diagnóstico específico, como próstata (2) o melanoma (6) ; o pacientes en un momento concreto del ciclo oncológico, como es el diagnóstico, pero con diferentes tipos de tumores (7) . Sólo hemos encontrado un trabajo (8) que analiza a pacientes con el mismo tipo de tumor (mama) y en el mismo momento del ciclo oncológico (después de la cirugía).…”

“…Finalmente, León et al, (7) señalan que el deseo de recibir ayuda psicológica es más solicitado por las mujeres y por los pacientes que expresaban tener más dificultad para afrontar el cáncer. Complementando estos datos, hay diversos trabajos (2,5,8,9) que indican que los factores más consistentemente relacionados con la participación en la atención psicooncológica son la edad (pacientes más jóvenes), el género (ser mujer), la existencia de dificultades para seguir adelante, y el uso de estrategias de afrontamiento basadas en la búsqueda de apoyo.…”