title: Stress and physical activity in young adults treated for cancer: the moderating role of social support.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The first objective of the current investigation was to explore the relationships between adolescents and young adults' (AYA) experiences of stress and social support resources (i.e., perceived social support and support group involvement) following treatment for cancer. The second objective was to examine the relationship between stress and physical activity behavior, and test if social support resources are moderators of this relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  AYAs (N = 64; mean age = 28.8 years, standard deviation (SD) = 5.5 years; mean time since diagnosis = 2.9, SD = 3.0 years) completed an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using correlation and hierarchical multivariate linear regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stress was negatively related to perceived social support, support group involvement, and physical activity behavior. Support group involvement, but not perceived social support, moderated the association between stress and physical activity behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest establishing support groups, as part of psychosocial rehabilitation services, may help to reduce stress and promote an active lifestyle in AYAs treated for cancer.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, 125 University Pr., Montpetit Hall Room 339, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada, jennifer.brunet@uottawa.ca.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Raveena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramphal
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sabiston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult