Social Support Networks and Depression of Women Suffering from Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the areas of depression, anxiety, and social support using the structural model of the social network. By comparing the networks of two samples of breast cancer sufferers and healthy control participants, it was possible to identify differences in their relationships, in the shape of the networks themselves, and in the levels of depression and anxiety. Women with breast cancer described smaller and denser networks, including mainly kins whereas the healthy women included more friends, coworkers, and leisure companions. The levels of anxiety and depression were higher in women with breast cancer. Social network and social support measure correlated differently with depression and anxiety in the two groups.

“The Support I Need”

“…Social support is linked not only to the structure of the network but also to the patients' capacity to contact resources 11,31,47 and, as we also found, to their ability to use these resources. Those with self-confidence and reliable social networks knew when to call upon social support and were more likely to have social support available.…”

“…22 How the support is experienced is, among other things, influenced by the type of relationship and the setting in which the support is given. 11,13 Previous studies have reported that women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who had relationship problems or no confidants were more likely to develop depression and anxiety during the first 5 years after diagnosis. 23 Different types of social support are suggested as being valuable to cancer patients at different points in their disease and treatment.…”

“…4,9Y11 Yet social support is not an unequivocal phenomenon. 12,13 Women with breast cancer with a limited social network or inadequate social support from their network are at increased risk of psychosocial distress, 14 anxiety and depression, 11,15 and cancer progression. 6 Women who were socially isolated resulting from poor support prior to diagnosis had a higher risk of mortality from breast cancer.…”

“…24,26 In summary, these studies have documented that social support is associated with a better adjustment to breast cancer and that inadequate social support increases psychological distress. 2,10,11,14 However, the need for social support and other kinds of support during the breast cancer trajectory varies. 3,24,25 In order to facilitate the adjustment to breast cancer, studies on women's support needs throughout the cancer experience are still required, 27 particularly in the pretreatment period.…”

Social support predicts inflammation, pain, and depressive symptoms: Longitudinal relationships among breast cancer survivors

“…For example, survivors with lower social support experienced higher concurrent levels of depressive symptoms than their more socially supported counterparts (Gagliardi et al, 2009; Nausheen et al, 2009). Among breast and ovarian cancer survivors, lower social support at cancer diagnosis predicted the development of depression during the subsequent five years (Hipkins et al, 2004; Burgess et al, 2005).…”