Social support perceived by cancer patients and its relation with social and demographic characteristics

Abstract

To analyze the relation between social support and socio-demographic characteristics of oncology patients. Transversal study, developed with oncology patients living in the Ijut city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil between July and December 2012, the population was selected through convenience. For data collection we used the Brazilian version of the Social Support Scale and the Medical Outcomes Study data were analyzed with descriptive statistics resources and analytical. Average scores on the dimensions were: 82.36 +/- 24.42 (positive interaction), 85.39 +/- 19.81 (information), 87.98 +/- 18.68 (emotional support), 88.52 +/- 18.56 (material support) and 93.50 +/- 14.44 (affective support). Evidences showed higher averages in male mulattos patients (p < 0.05). There was a direct and growing relationship between per capita income, social support and affective positive interaction. It was proven that patients receive social support in all dimensions, with high scores, but with variations, considering the characteristics of gender, civil status, educational level, per capita income and race.

Social support score in patients with malignant diseases—with sociodemographic and medical characteristics

“…This support refers to the help of others in case of need and also reflects access to healthcare services and actions from other people that help to solve practical activities. The acknowledgement that social support can help cancer patients to adapt and maintain a quality of life means accepting the need to identify the arrangement of a support network made available to users so that care can be planned and implemented with quality ( Kolankiewicz et al, 2014 ).…”

Empatía y amor compasivo en el bienestar subjetivo y resiliencia de pacientes con cáncer y sus parejas

“…Por otro lado, una mayor empatía en el PC favorece que la PPC pueda saberse una persona valiente y segura (fortaleza) y que posee la certeza de que en momentos difíciles cuenta con su familia (apoyo familiar). Ello puede deberse a los intentos del PC por comprender sus emociones y sentimientos, entre los que destacan la sobrecarga, la angustia, la tensión, la incertidumbre y la imposibilidad de cubrir sus propias necesidades (Martínez et al, 2020), lo que puede llevar al PPC a ser consciente no únicamente de sus propias habilidades y destrezas en la atención y cuidado que brinda a su pareja, sino también del valor y agradecimiento que esta experimentará al afron-tar conjuntamente la enfermedad (Novoa et al, 2010), favoreciendo así la sensación de fortaleza y confianza en sí misma al aumentar su autonomía (Kolankiewicz, Souza, Magnago y De Domenico, 2014) trayendo consigo la certeza de que se cuenta con el apoyo de una familia que afrontará con optimismo el futuro.…”

Psychometric Properties of the Peruvian Version of the MOS Scale for Social Support in Cancer Patients and Convergent Network with Quality of Life

“…28 In addition, the relationship between gender and social support in cancer patients must be taken into account, since various studies have shown differences in the dimensions of social support in favor of women than men, [29][30][31] while other studies have found differences in favor of men with different types of cancer. 32,33 This last group stands out for their higher perception of tangible (material), emotional, and informative social support, which in many cases is attributed to both the greater participation of the partner or family in the care of men and the greater preference of this group for this type of instrumental support compared to other types of support. 33,34 Given the varying results in perceived social support between men and women with cancer, it's important to evaluate the MOS instrument to determine if gender is a significant factor in social support for these patients.…”