Quality of life, social support, and uncertainty among Latina and Caucasian breast cancer survivors: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the differences between Latina and Caucasian breast cancer survivors in perceived social support, uncertainty, and quality of life (QOL), and the differences between the cohorts in selected demographic variables.


METHODS
Descriptive, comparative study.


METHODS
Selected private hospitals and American Cancer Society units in a metropolitan area of the northeastern United States.


METHODS
182 Caucasian and 98 Latina breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
Participants completed a personal data sheet, the Social Support Questionnaire, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community Form, and the Ferrans and Powers QOL Index-Cancer Version III at home and returned the questionnaires to the investigators via postage-paid envelope.


METHODS
Perceived social support, uncertainty, and QOL.


RESULTS
Caucasians reported significantly higher levels of total perceived social support and QOL than Latinas.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychiatric illness comorbidity and lower level of education in Latinas were factors in the disparity of QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should be mindful of the essential association of perceived social support, uncertainty, and QOL in Latina breast cancer survivors and how Latinas differ from Caucasian breast cancer survivors. Factors such as cultural values, comorbidities, and education level likely influence perceived social support, uncertainty, and QOL.
Sammarco
Angela
A
Nursing Department at College of Staten Island, City University of New York, New York, USA. sammarco@mail.csi.cuny.edu
Konecny
Lynda M
LM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D009518:New York; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D035501:Uncertainty; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*