Alferi, S. M., Carver, C. S., Antoni. M. H., Weiss, S., & Durán, R. E. (2001). An exploratory study of social support, distress, and life disruption among low-income Hispanic women under treatment for early stage breast cancer. Health Psychology, 20, 41-46.
Relations between distress and perceived availability of social
support
were examined in 51 Hispanic women being treated for early stage breast
cancer. We measured distress and different types (emotional,
instrumental)
and sources (spouse, women family, other family, friends) of support at
pre-surgery, post-surgery, and at 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups.
Emotional support from friends and instrumental support from spouse at
pre-surgery predicted lower distress post-surgery. No other prospective
benefits of perceived support emerged. Distress at several time
points
predicted erosion of subsequent support, particularly instrumental
support
from women in the family. In contrast to the adverse effects of
distress
(and independent of them), illness-related disruption of recreational
and
social activities at 6 months elicited greater support at 12 months.
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