Social support, intrusive thoughts, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
This study explores the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between cancer-related intrusive thoughts and quality of life. Sixty-four breast cancer survivors completed self-report measures of appraisal social support (the disclosure of thoughts and feelings to significant others), cancer-related intrusive thoughts, and quality of life. Controlling for demographic and treatment variables, the negative impact of cancer-related intrusive thoughts on both physical and mental quality of life measures was moderated by appraisal social support. For women with high levels of appraisal support, cancer-related intrusive thoughts had no significant relationship with quality of life. However, for women with low levels of appraisal support, the relationship between cancer-related intrusive thoughts and quality of life was significant and negative. These results suggest that appraisal social support can mitigate the impact of traumatic life events.
Lewis
J A
JA
Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. lewis@cnmc.org
Manne
S L
SL
DuHamel
K N
KN
Vickburg
S M
SM
Bovbjerg
D H
DH
Currie
V
V
Winkel
G
G
Redd
W H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D015996:Survival Rate; D013850:Thinking