title: Motorcycles and breast cancer: the influence of peer support and challenge on distress and posttraumatic growth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peer support programs based on exercise or challenge activities may have potential to improve well-being for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The current study investigated the role of social comparison and social identity based on group membership on posttraumatic growth (PTG) and distress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one women diagnosed with breast cancer who participated in a 1,000 mi group motorcycle ride completed pre- and post-ride surveys. Participants had a mean age of 49.82 years (SD = 7.04) and their average time since diagnosis was 6.39 years (SD = 3.89).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cancer-related distress significantly decreased after the ride. PTG did not significantly differ after the ride, which may have been a result of a ceiling effect on this measure. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that pre-ride PTG (p < 0.01) and upward social comparison during the ride (p < 0.05) were related to post-ride PTG. Pre-ride distress was the only variable to remain significantly related to post-ride distress (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the current study highlight the potential for challenge-based activities to provide a positive peer support environment for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Identifying factors that promote personal growth and reduce cancer-related distress allow us to create a model for the delivery of these challenge-based peer support activities.
authors: National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA. morrisba@mail.nih.gov
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: Morris
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Chambers
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Campbell
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Dwyer
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Dunn
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*