title: Effects of social support on physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in adult cancer survivors and their caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationships between adult cancer survivor and caregiver social support, self-efficacy for physical activity (SEPA), physical activity (PA) behavior, and quality of life (QOL); and to understand cancer survivors' and their caregivers' perceptions of social support in PA participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five community-based exercise sites located in East Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  101 adult cancer survivors and caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed questionnaires, the 8-Foot Up-and-Go test, and open-ended questions. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and frequencies, Spearman's rho, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Social support, SEPA, PA, and QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical QOL was significantly higher in caregivers than cancer survivors. Spearman's rho identified a negative relationship between physical QOL and PA in cancer survivors; and a significant relationship between PA and PA participation in caregivers with social support from friend. Three themes emerged from the qualitative data regarding the perception of social support: companionship, motivation, and health promotion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers have higher QOL despite being the major social support provider to cancer survivors. Social support is essential to PA participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions to increase PA in adult cancer survivors may consider encouraging their caregivers to actively participate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers play an important role in the PA of cancer survivors. Perceived social support in the form of companionship and motivation may increase PA in cancer survivors and caregivers. Therefore, nurses may consider educating cancer survivors and caregivers on the importance of adopting and maintaining PA throughout the cancer care continuum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas in Houston.
authors.forename: Fedricker Diane
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009043:Motor Activity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*