Role of the family, friends and significant others in providing social support and enhancing quality of life in cancer patients

Abstract

Abstract.Cancer is a disease that may potentially affect woman's daily life, including her physical activities, career and social life. Women dealing with cancer can benefit from supportive relationships, and there was found evidence of moderating effect of social support on the harmful effect of stressful events, including life-threatening disease and patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of socio-demographic factors (age, education, employment and marital status, number of children, satisfaction with finances) on perceived social support, as well as the impact of social support on quality of life. 211 gynaecologic cancer patients (cervix, endometrium -115; breasts -52; ovaria -44), between the ages of 34 and 80 were assigned for this study. The Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) and EORTC QoL C30 questionnaire were employed in the study. It was found that marital status, education, employment status and satisfaction with finances had an influence on social support. Positive correlation was found between total social support and family, friends and significant others subscale, and all functional subscales of quality of life questionnaire as well as overall quality of life Negative correlation was found between social support variables and most of the symptom subscales of QoL questionnaire, except for diarhea. Since the social support is one of the important factors affecting the survival of patients as well as their quality of life, healthcare professionals should also focus on building and strengthening patient's support network when working with these groups of women.

Association between demographic features and perceived social support in the mental adjustment to breast cancer

“…The perception of close supportive relationships, including those of spouse and family members, is positively correlated with coping and adjustment by women diagnosed with breast cancer . Another study concluded that social support affects not only adjustment but also the survival of patients . An Indian study stated that the scores of H/H in response to mental adjustment decrease with an increase in social support for cancer patients .…”

“…18 Another study concluded that social support affects not only adjustment but also the survival of patients. 19 An Indian study stated that the scores of H/H in response to mental adjustment decrease with an increase in social support for cancer patients. 20 Another study observed a correlation between social support, especially emotional support from family members, and psychological adjustment with cancer.…”

Self-concept of cervical cancer patients after chemotheraphy in Yogyakarta

“…According to (Moore et al, 2016) the results of research conducted by patients who have undergone chemotherapy cannot meet the needs of children such as before undergoing chemotherapy, this is due to a decrease in the physical and psychological conditions experienced by patients, this change is an activity in managing the household (Banoycinova & Baskova, 2014). The impact of these changes creates psychological distress for the patient.…”

Factors Related to the Needs of Parents Having School Age Thalassemic Children

“…Acording to Shosha and Kalaldeh (2017) after one year since diagnosis of disease, perceived social support tends to decrease. The immediate family and people provide supports at the beggining of the diagnosis but from time to time the perceived support begins to decrease (Banovcinova & Baskova, 2014). The longer suffering from the disease makes a person resigned to treatment different from the time span of the sick who still have high expectations of treatment (Satari et al, 2012).…”