title: Social support and its predictors among Iranian cancer survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social support is an important factor in psycho-social well-being of cancer survivors. There is little information about level of social support and its predictors among cancer survivors in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries. The aims of present study were to determine the social support and its prediction factors among Iranian cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive-correlational study 187 cancer patients in one educational center and one private oncology office in northwest of Iran participated using a convenient sampling method. The data collection tool consisted of a researcher-prepared checklist and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Assessment (MSPSS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total score of MSPSS was 68 from a possible score between 7 and 84. Participants believed that they received a high level of support from their family members and significant others. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that single and depressed cancer survivors and participants with lower levels of physical activity believed that they received lower levels of social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iranian cancer survivors receive high levels of social support and family members are the most important source of this support. In planning any supportive care program for Iranian cancer survivors this strength should be considered. Especially, single and depressed and patients with lower levels of physical activity need more attention.
authors.affiliation: Medical Surgical Department, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran E-mail : azad.rahmani@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Safieh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faghani
authors.forename: Azad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmani
authors.forename: Naser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parizad
authors.forename: Ali-Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mohajjel-Aghdam
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hassankhani
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadpoorasl
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*