Related Experiment Videos
Correlates of social support in young adults with advanced cancer
K M Trevino1, K Fasciano, S Block
1Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Dana 1134, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Objective:
This study examined the relationship between perceived social support, quality of life (QoL), and grief in young adults with advanced cancer.
Methods:
Seventy-one young adults (20-40 years) with advanced cancer were administered measures of social support, QoL, and grief. Regression analyses examined the relationship between social support and QoL and grief.
Results:
Higher levels of total social support were associated with better psychological and existential QoL and less severe grief. Availability of someone to talk to about problems was also associated with better psychological and existential QoL and less severe grief. Tangible support was associated with better psychological and existential QoL. Availability of someone to engage in activities with was only associated with better existential QoL.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that enhancing social support may improve psychological well-being in this population. In addition, specific types of social support may be particularly relevant to the psychological well-being of young adults with advanced cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Social Relationships and Well-Being
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Cancer
Relationship Formation
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...