The impact of dyadic social support on self-efficacy and depression after radical prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of one-on-one peer support at enhancing self-efficacy and decreasing depression in older men treated by radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.


METHODS
Six weeks after surgery, 72 men (M(age) = 60) were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 37) or control group ( n = 35). Treatment group participants were paired to form dyads with a trained support partner who had similar treatment and related side effects; control group participants received usual health care. Dyads met 8 times over 8 weeks to discuss concerns and coping strategies.


RESULTS
At posttest, the treatment group had significantly higher self-efficacy than the controls (M = 328.89 and M = 304.54, respectively) and significantly less depression (M = 0.92 and M = 2.49, respectively). Depression outcomes remained significant when controlling baseline self-efficacy and social support (F = 4.845, p = .032).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings confirm pilot study results and are theoretically consistent with the self-efficacy enhancing nature of vicarious experience described by Bandura in self-efficacy theory.
Weber
Bryan A
BA
University of Florida College of Nursing, Box 100197, Gainesville, FL 32610-0197, USA. bweber@ufl.edu
Roberts
Beverly L
BL
Yarandi
Hossein
H
Mills
Terry L
TL
Chumbler
Neale R
NR
Wajsman
Zev
Z
D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States