Effects of received and mobilized support on recipients' and providers' self‐efficacy beliefs: A 1‐year follow‐up study with patients receiving radical prostatectomy and their spouses

Abstract

From a proactive agentic perspective, social support is not just seen as a protective cushion against environmental demands. Rather, support may facilitate an individual's self-regulation by enhancing perceived self-efficacy (i.e., enabling hypothesis). In the present study, patient-reported indicators of mobilized and received spousal support as predictors of their own and their spouses' self-efficacy beliefs were investigated within 1 year following radical prostatectomy. During this time frame, postoperative sequelae such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunctions are still likely to interfere with couples' everyday activities. Seventy-two patients receiving radical prostatectomy and their spouses participated. Patients' and spouses' self-efficacy beliefs and patients' received and mobilized spousal support were assessed prior to and 12 months following surgery. Additional patient-reported covariates at 1 year post-surgery were degree of bother by urinary incontinence, overall sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that patients' received spousal support was associated with higher levels of patients' self-efficacy only cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally. Support mobilized by the patient prior to and 1 year after surgery, however, positively predicted spouses' levels and changes in self-efficacy. Results, thus, did not fully confirm predictions by the enabling hypothesis of social support; rather, associated aspects, such as the degree of being mobilized as a provider of support or being needed, seem to enhance agency beliefs in spouses.

The experiences of giving and receiving social support for men with localised prostate cancer and their partners

“…Consistent with other literature, the men in this study relied on their partner for emotional support, and this means that partners have to manage not only their own anxiety but also the distress of their husbands [25]. Furthermore, our findings suggest that support between men and partners becomes inequitable during treatment and remains the same 6 months later (in contrast to [16]). While perceptions of stigma were not cited as direct causes of social isolation, partner's reluctance to disclose prostate-related issues to others likely contributed to the degree of social isolation they reported feeling.…”

“…Supportive interaction has been associated with better recovery [13,14], differentially associated with higher well-being in both patients and partners (e.g. [15]), and related to higher relationship satisfaction [16]. Therefore, understanding the coupled experience of giving and receiving support following a prostate cancer diagnosis may help us to identify those who are at high risk of inadequate support provision.…”

Inter‐Relations between Partner‐Provided Support and Self‐Efficacy: A Dyadic Longitudinal Analysis

“…Authors found that patients’ support mobilisation efforts were positively associated with their own self‐efficacy beliefs. Predicting change in self‐efficacy over a 1‐year time lag in prostate cancer survivors and their partners, Knoll, Scholz, Burkert, Roigas, and Gralla () found neither survivor‐reported receipt of partner support nor their support mobilisation efforts prior to tumor surgery associated with their own self‐efficacy beliefs 12 months later. However, patients’ pre‐surgery support mobilisation was related with increases in their partners’ self‐efficacy 1 year later.…”

Sexual and Relationship Intimacy Among Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia and Their Partners: Associations with Sexual Satisfaction, Sexual Function, and Pain Self-Efficacy

“…Pain self‐efficacy is therefore thought to be a robust predictor of the adjustment to vulvo‐vaginal pain. It has been shown that social support and partner support promoted self‐efficacy . The subjective experience of intimacy in a romantic relationship could help one to feel supported and provide a positive context to increase self‐efficacy, which is crucial in mobilizing women to engage in proactive coping behaviors.…”