The need for friendships and information: Dimensions of social support and posttraumatic growth among women with breast cancer

Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon, Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, Gil Goldzweig, Rienat Levi, Noam Pizem, Bela Kaufman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Employing a cross-sectional design, the current study examined the relationships between various agents and types of support and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among women with breast cancer. Method: Eighty married women who were coping with breast cancer completed social support and PTG questionnaires. Results: All agents of social support (family, friends, belief-based), excluding spousal support, and all types of social support were found to be related to the various PTG dimensions and its total score. Regression analyses revealed that, among the agents of support, only support provided from friends and belief-based support uniquely contribute to prediction of total PTG score. While examining the contribution of various types of support, only cognitive support had a unique contribution to prediction of total PTG score. Significance of results: Various agents and types of support play different roles in the PTG process following breast cancer. Accordingly, friends as an agent of support and information as a type of support seem to be most important in enhancing PTG among women with breast cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-392
Number of pages6
JournalPalliative and Supportive Care
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Cambridge University Press 2015.

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Posttraumatic growth (PTG)
  • Social support

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