Social networks, social support mechanisms, and quality of life after breast cancer diagnosis

Abstract

Purpose We examined mechanisms through which social relationships influence quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors. Methods This study included 3,139 women from the Pathways Study who were diagnosed with breast cancer from 2006-2011 and provided data on social networks (presence of spouse or intimate partner, religious/social ties, volunteering, and numbers of close friends and relatives), social support (tangible, emotional/informational, affection, positive social interaction), and quality of life (QOL), measured by the FACT-B, approximately two months post-diagnosis. We used logistic models to evaluate associations between social network size, social support, and lower vs. higher than median QOL scores. We further stratified by stage at diagnosis and treatment. Results In multivariate-adjusted analyses, women who were characterized as socially isolated had significantly lower FACT-B (OR=2.18, 95%CI:1.72-2.77), physical well-being (WB) (OR=1.61, 95%CI:1.27-2.03), functional WB (OR=2.08, 95%CI:1.65-2.63), social WB (OR=3.46, 95%CI:2.73-4.39), and emotional WB (OR=1.67, 95%CI:1.33-2.11) scores and higher breast cancer symptoms (OR=1.48, 95%CI:1.18-1.87), compared with socially integrated women. Each social network member independently predicted higher QOL. Simultaneous adjustment for social networks and social support partially attenuated associations between social networks and QOL. The strongest mediator and type of social support that was most predictive of QOL outcomes was “positive social interaction”. However, each type of support was important depending on outcome, stage, and treatment status. Conclusions Larger social networks and greater social support were related to higher QOL after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Effective social support interventions need to evolve beyond social-emotional interventions and need to account for disease severity and treatment status.

Rede social de apoio do homem sobrevivente ao câncer: estudo de caso etnográfico Supportive social network to men who survived cancer: ethnographic case study

“…12 The family constitution takes form through a man and a woman who relate and love each other, perpetuating this love through the descendants, offering to them, besides the sustenance, an environment of affection so that the children can develop themselves with quality. 4 Historically, man has been considered superior to woman, which favors men to maintain a situation of prestige, privileges and power. Unfortunately, in the family sphere, in most cases, relationships are hierarchical, where men and women relate in unequal ways, reinforcing the ideas of domination over one another.…”

“…3 To that end, the social network can provide the social and emotional support that cancer survivors need. 4 This support must be individual, integral and dynamic, in order to meet the needs of the person with the disease, whether it is social, emotional or physical. 5 The family is considered the main support network for men at the time of illness, 6 especially for people with cancer.…”

Online Social Networks - Opportunities for Empowering Cancer Patients

“…Some examples of behavioral changes are having a healthful diet, leaving dangerous behavior such as smoking, alcohol consumption, inactivity, following regular and scheduled visits (Pinquart and Duberstein, 2010;Kim et al, 2015). All mentioned items can lead to enhance quality of life in cancer patients (Sapp et al, 2003;Kroenke et al, 2013).…”

Exploring subjective well-being in social network sites? - Supplementary fit and social support perspective

“…However, little research has studied SWB in the SNS (Social Network Sites) in the viewpoint of social support. The traditional application of social support focuses on the linkages between health treatment and supports provided by people around patients ex., [3,4]. But our study focuses on ordinary people who interact with their friends in SNS instead of patients with specific health issue.…”