title: Peer-based models of supportive care: the impact of peer support groups in African American breast cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of support groups among African American breast cancer survivors (BCSs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative research study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community health and cancer centers and churches.
  
  
  METHODS
  62 African American BCSs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups were conducted with African American BCSs to share their experiences with peer-based support groups. A brief questionnaire was administered and assessed demographics, medical history, and support group impact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survivors emphasized that a culturally embedded focus was essential for their participation in a cancer support group. The survivors underscored that cultural-based groups are rooted in the spiritual, linguistic, experiential, and historical contexts of the intended constituents. The peer-based support groups provided multilevel functions, including emotional, social, spiritual, informational, and financial support, as well as patient navigation. The groups' activities fostered personal development and a call to community advocacy that included prevention education and research engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The unique strengths of grassroots community-based support groups are that they are culturally consonant, peer-based, and responsive to cancer-related and personal needs. The contribution and value of those multifaceted peer-based groups expand the paradigm of supportive care, extending the net of psychosocial care to underserved and underrepresented cancer survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research provides the critical foundation to lead and articulate the studies necessary to bridge peer- and professional-based care to ensure the psychosocial needs of increasingly diverse survivors are met.
authors.affiliation: City of Hope National Medical Center's Center of Community Alliance for Research and Education (CCARE), Duarte, CA, USA. kashing@coh.org
authors.forename: Kimlin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ashing-Giwa
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tapp
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosales
authors.forename: Kommah
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Rhonda Holbert
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Santifer
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Eudora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D010379:Peer Group; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors