Socially Supportive and Unsupportive Behaviors in Group Exercise for People Living With Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Behavioral Science
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Socially supportive relationships are linked to improved coping with cancer-related distress and increased physical activity (PA).
• While perceived social support (SS) is associated with well-being and PA, the specific behaviors that foster these perceptions remain underexplored.
• Identifying these behaviors is crucial for developing effective strategies to facilitate SS in cancer patients undergoing PA programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine participants' lived experiences with social support (SS) behaviors within group exercise oncology programs.
• To identify specific SS behaviors that contribute to participants' perceptions of being supported during PA programs.
• To inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing SS for cancer survivors.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing reflexive thematic analysis.
• Data collected through 12 interviews and 3 focus groups with 24 individuals living with cancer.
• Exploration of participants' experiences with SS in the context of PA programs.

Main Results:

• Five key themes of SS behaviors emerged: developing caring relationships, creating a safe haven, nurturing desire for opportunities, facilitating preparation for engagement, and aiding full engagement.
• Participants reported that SS assisted in coping with cancer, skill acquisition, improved exercise abilities, and fostered supportive connections.
• These behaviors collectively contributed to participants' positive experiences and engagement in PA programs.

Conclusions:

• Specific social support behaviors within group exercise oncology programs are vital for enhancing participants' coping mechanisms and physical activity engagement.
• Understanding and promoting these identified SS behaviors can lead to more effective support strategies for cancer survivors.
• These findings highlight the importance of fostering a supportive environment to maximize the benefits of exercise for individuals affected by cancer.