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The stress-buffering effect of social support in gynecologic cancer survivors

Carpenter, Kristen M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1156276012

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Research on cancer survivorship aims to identify adverse outcomes associated with diagnosis and treatment, including long-term side effects and late sequelae of treatment. Considering all prior quality of life studies in cancer survivorship, gynecologic cancer has largely been ignored. While a number of studies have examined the significant psychological and sexual morbidity that commonly occurs immediately following diagnosis and treatment (Andersen & Carpenter, 2003), much remains to be accomplished to detail and understand the psychosocial outcomes in long-term survivorship. Data from heterogeneous survivor samples suggest that social support is related to favorable physical and psychological outcomes. The present study tests social support as a moderator between health status and psychological outcomes, specifically, it tests the stress-buffering hypothesis, which states that those under the most stress benefit from social support (Cohen & Wills, 1985). In addition, this study documents various dimensions of cancer-related quality of life in a sample of gynecologic cancer survivors. It was hypothesized that poor cancer-related health status would be associated with increased levels of psychological distress and traumatic stress symptoms and that social support would moderate this relationship. A cross-sectional design was used and a series of hierarchical multiple linear regression models tested the buffering hypothesis. Patients in this sample demonstrated compromised health status, with scores generally in the range of cancer patients in active treatment or immediate follow-up and evidence of a variety of longstanding symptoms. These patients did not have exceptionally high levels of psychological distress or traumatic stress, though a significant proportion (8 % to 15%) reported symptoms in the clinically significant range. The hypothesis that poorer cancer-related health status would be associated with poorer psychological outcomes was unequivocally supported. While they did not provide evidence for moderation, the results for the psychological distress outcome indicated that those with better social support reported less psychological distress. Regarding the traumatic stress outcome, there was no evidence for a direct relationship with social support; however, results did provide evidence for stress buffering. Specifically, perceived support from friends and perceived availability of social resources appeared to protect patients from traumatic stress symptoms associated poor physical health status.
Barbara Andersen (Advisor)
123 p.
Psychology, Clinical
gynecologic cancer; social support; stress buffering; quality of life

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Carpenter, K. M. (2006). The stress-buffering effect of social support in gynecologic cancer survivors [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1156276012

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Carpenter, Kristen. The stress-buffering effect of social support in gynecologic cancer survivors. 2006. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1156276012.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Carpenter, Kristen. "The stress-buffering effect of social support in gynecologic cancer survivors." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1156276012

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1156276012
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.