title: Predictors of support service use by rural and regional men with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined how sociodemographic, psychological, physical and social support variables predict participation in formal support services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited from oncology clinics, cancer specialist clinics and cancer support groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six men living outside major Australian cities, the majority with prostate cancer (n=55).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed the Brief Symptom Inventory, the List of Physical Complaints, the Social Support Subscale of the Coping Resources Inventory and questionnaires related to levels of awareness of, and participation in support services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most (82%) of the men were aware of at least one formal service offering emotional support, and 49% of the men had used such a service. Telephone- and Internet-based services were the most used type of support. The only predictor of participation in a formal service was lower age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a support service was not predicted by psychological or physical symptoms, levels of social support or distance from service centres. Attitudes to different types of services, and support services in general, might be more predictive of actual use. The current findings point to the potential of telephone- and Internet-based support as an acceptable means of formal support for rural and regional men who experience cancer-related distress.
authors.affiliation: University of Ballarat, University Drive, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. d.corboy@ballarat.edu.au
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corboy
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003256:Community Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support