Patient-partner support for breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional comparative study assessing the effects on...

Quantitative studies evaluating the psychological effects of patient-partner (PP) support for breast cancer survivors are needed. This study aimed to assess the impact of patient-partner support on emotional distress, perceived social support, perceived control, and coping in breast cancer survivors.

A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in 2021, using the LimeSurvey online software, at the Institut du Sein d'Aquitaine, which employed a trained patient-partner to provide individual support to BC survivors. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Questionnaire on Social Support in Cancer, the Cancer Locus of Control Scale, and the Ways of Coping Checklist were used in this study. ANOVAs and MANCOVA were performed for statistical analysis.

In total, 118 breast cancer survivors were included in the study (mean age = 56.21; SD = 11.38), of whom 49 (41.5%) had benefited from patient-partner support. In the multivariate analysis, the supported group reported significantly higher levels of emotional support (β = 5.81; p < 0.01) and used more social support-seeking coping strategies (β = 2.50; p < 0.05) compared to those without support. However, they showed greater internal causal attribution (β = 2.05; p < 0.05).

In this study, patient-partner support has a relatively beneficial effect on transactional variables that facilitate adjustment to breast cancer. This support should be complemented by merging PP assistance with psychological support. Further randomized longitudinal and prospective studies are needed for in-depth explorations.