Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer 5/2004

01.05.2004 | Original Article

Cancer-specific social support received by newly diagnosed cancer patients: validating the new Structural-Functional Social Support Scale (SFSS) measurement tool

verfasst von: Ulla-Sisko Lehto-Järnstedt, Markku Ojanen, Pirkko Kellokumpu-Lehtinen

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 5/2004

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Goals of work

To investigate potentially health-enhancing domains of cancer patients’ social relationships we evaluated various dimensions of social support as experienced in early cancer.

Patients and methods

In consecutive samples of 72 melanoma and 103 breast cancer patients diagnosed 3–4 months earlier, we evaluated the cancer-specific social network and received social support by the Structural-Functional Social Support Scale (SFSS) validated within the study. In addition, social support was measured by the MOS Social Support Survey as perceived support, and by Seeking Social Support items from the Ways of Coping Questionnaire as coping activity. SFSS measures the number of people who have been aware of the patient’s cancer and the amount of social support the patients have received from them.

Main results

A large number of people from various potential support-providing sources had been aware of the patients’ cancer, and the patients had received support through these interactions. A greater number of support providers did not mean an increase in the support received. Social support was distinguished into subgroups according to its source, but the division into functional support types was weak. Support assessed as perceived support or as a coping activity did not cover the received disease-specific support of several sources.

Conclusions

With the SFSS, it was possible to obtain detailed information on the disease-specific social network and social support. It may be beneficial to distinguish support according to the sources and to also measure support beyond the closest relationships. We hope that our measure and the results obtained will assist in identifying the targets for psychosocial interventions.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Aalto A-M, Orhinmaa A, Aro A (1995) Social support and quality of life in Finnish general population. In: Rodriguez-Marin J (ed) Health psychology and quality of life research, vol 2. Murcia, Alicante, pp 620–626 Aalto A-M, Orhinmaa A, Aro A (1995) Social support and quality of life in Finnish general population. In: Rodriguez-Marin J (ed) Health psychology and quality of life research, vol 2. Murcia, Alicante, pp 620–626
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Blake-Mortimer J, Gore-Felton C, Kimerling R, Turner-Cobb JM, Spiegel D (1999) Improving the quality and quantity of life among patients with cancer: a review of the effectiveness of group psychotherapy. Eur J Cancer 35:1581–1586CrossRefPubMed Blake-Mortimer J, Gore-Felton C, Kimerling R, Turner-Cobb JM, Spiegel D (1999) Improving the quality and quantity of life among patients with cancer: a review of the effectiveness of group psychotherapy. Eur J Cancer 35:1581–1586CrossRefPubMed
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Blanchard CG, Albrecht TL, Ruckdeschel JC, Grant CH, Hemmick RM (1995) The role of social support in adaptation to cancer and to survival. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 13:75–95 Blanchard CG, Albrecht TL, Ruckdeschel JC, Grant CH, Hemmick RM (1995) The role of social support in adaptation to cancer and to survival. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 13:75–95
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Bland JM, Altman DG (1997) Cronbach’s alpha [Statistics notes]. BMJ 314:572PubMed Bland JM, Altman DG (1997) Cronbach’s alpha [Statistics notes]. BMJ 314:572PubMed
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Bottomley A (1997) To randomise or not to randomise: methodological pitfalls of the RCT design in psychosocial intervention studies. Eur J Cancer Care 6:222–230CrossRef Bottomley A (1997) To randomise or not to randomise: methodological pitfalls of the RCT design in psychosocial intervention studies. Eur J Cancer Care 6:222–230CrossRef
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Broadhead WE, Kaplan BH (1991) Social support and the cancer patient. Cancer 67 [Suppl 3]:794–799 Broadhead WE, Kaplan BH (1991) Social support and the cancer patient. Cancer 67 [Suppl 3]:794–799
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Broadhead WE, Gehlbach SH, de Gruy FV, Kaplan BH (1988) The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Med Care 26:709–723PubMed Broadhead WE, Gehlbach SH, de Gruy FV, Kaplan BH (1988) The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Med Care 26:709–723PubMed
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Brown SD, Brady T, Lent RW, Wolfert J, Hall S (1987) Perceived social support among college students: Three studies of the psychometric characteristics and counseling uses of the social support inventory. J Counsel Psychol 34:337–354CrossRef Brown SD, Brady T, Lent RW, Wolfert J, Hall S (1987) Perceived social support among college students: Three studies of the psychometric characteristics and counseling uses of the social support inventory. J Counsel Psychol 34:337–354CrossRef
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Butow PN, Coates AS, Dunn SM (1999) Psychosocial predictors of survival in metastatic melanoma. J Clin Oncol 17:2256–2263PubMed Butow PN, Coates AS, Dunn SM (1999) Psychosocial predictors of survival in metastatic melanoma. J Clin Oncol 17:2256–2263PubMed
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Butow PN, Coates AS, Dunn SM (2000) Psychosocial predictors of survival: Metastatic breast cancer. Ann Oncol 11:469–474CrossRefPubMed Butow PN, Coates AS, Dunn SM (2000) Psychosocial predictors of survival: Metastatic breast cancer. Ann Oncol 11:469–474CrossRefPubMed
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Cassel J (1976) The contribution of the social environment to host resistance. Am J Epidemiol 104:107–123PubMed Cassel J (1976) The contribution of the social environment to host resistance. Am J Epidemiol 104:107–123PubMed
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Cobb S (1976) Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosom Med 38:300–314PubMed Cobb S (1976) Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosom Med 38:300–314PubMed
13.
Zurück zum Zitat Cohen S, Wills TA (1985) Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychol Bull 98:310–357CrossRefPubMed Cohen S, Wills TA (1985) Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychol Bull 98:310–357CrossRefPubMed
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Dakof GA, Taylor SE (1990) Victims’ perceptions of social support: What is helpful from whom? J Pers Soc Psychol 58:80–89CrossRefPubMed Dakof GA, Taylor SE (1990) Victims’ perceptions of social support: What is helpful from whom? J Pers Soc Psychol 58:80–89CrossRefPubMed
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Dolbeaut S, Szporn A, Holland JC (1999) Psycho-oncology: Where have we been? Where are we going? Eur J Cancer 35:1554–1558CrossRefPubMed Dolbeaut S, Szporn A, Holland JC (1999) Psycho-oncology: Where have we been? Where are we going? Eur J Cancer 35:1554–1558CrossRefPubMed
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Dunkel-Schetter C (1984) Social support and cancer: Findings based on patient interviews and their implications. J Soc Issues 40:77–98 Dunkel-Schetter C (1984) Social support and cancer: Findings based on patient interviews and their implications. J Soc Issues 40:77–98
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Dunkel-Schetter C, Bennett TL (1990) Differentiating the cognitive and behavioral aspects of social support. In: Sarason BR, Sarason IG, Pierce GR (eds) Social support: An interactional view. Wiley, New York, pp 267–296 Dunkel-Schetter C, Bennett TL (1990) Differentiating the cognitive and behavioral aspects of social support. In: Sarason BR, Sarason IG, Pierce GR (eds) Social support: An interactional view. Wiley, New York, pp 267–296
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Dunkel-Schetter C, Folkman S, Lazarus RS (1987) Correlates of social support receipt. J Pers Soc Psychol 53:71–80CrossRefPubMed Dunkel-Schetter C, Folkman S, Lazarus RS (1987) Correlates of social support receipt. J Pers Soc Psychol 53:71–80CrossRefPubMed
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Eriksen W (1994) The role of social support in the pathogenesis of coronary hearth disease. A literature review. Family Practice 11:201–209PubMed Eriksen W (1994) The role of social support in the pathogenesis of coronary hearth disease. A literature review. Family Practice 11:201–209PubMed
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Fawzy FI (1999) Psychosocial interventions for patients with cancer: What works and what doesn’t. Eur J Cancer 35:1559–1564CrossRefPubMed Fawzy FI (1999) Psychosocial interventions for patients with cancer: What works and what doesn’t. Eur J Cancer 35:1559–1564CrossRefPubMed
21.
Zurück zum Zitat Fawzy FI, Fawzy NW, Arndt LA, Pasnau RO (1995) Critical review of psychosocial interventions in cancer care. Arch Gen Psychiatry 52:100–113PubMed Fawzy FI, Fawzy NW, Arndt LA, Pasnau RO (1995) Critical review of psychosocial interventions in cancer care. Arch Gen Psychiatry 52:100–113PubMed
22.
Zurück zum Zitat Fife BL, Kennedy VN, Robinson L (1994) Gender and adjustment to cancer: Clinical implications. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 12:1–20 Fife BL, Kennedy VN, Robinson L (1994) Gender and adjustment to cancer: Clinical implications. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 12:1–20
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Flaherty J, Richman J (1989) Gender differences in the perception and utilization of social support: Theoretical perspectives and an empirical test. Soc Sci Med 28:1221–1228CrossRefPubMed Flaherty J, Richman J (1989) Gender differences in the perception and utilization of social support: Theoretical perspectives and an empirical test. Soc Sci Med 28:1221–1228CrossRefPubMed
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Fobair P (1997a) Cancer support groups and group therapies: Part I. Historical and theoretical background and research on effectiveness. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 15:63–81 Fobair P (1997a) Cancer support groups and group therapies: Part I. Historical and theoretical background and research on effectiveness. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 15:63–81
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Fobair P (1997b) Cancer support groups and group therapies: Part II. Process, organizational, leadership, and patient issues. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 15:123–147 Fobair P (1997b) Cancer support groups and group therapies: Part II. Process, organizational, leadership, and patient issues. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 15:123–147
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Folkman S, Lazarus RS (1988) Manual for the ways of coping questionnaire. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto Folkman S, Lazarus RS (1988) Manual for the ways of coping questionnaire. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto
27.
Zurück zum Zitat Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Gruen RJ, DeLongis A (1986a) Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. J Pers Soc Psychol 50:571–579CrossRefPubMed Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Gruen RJ, DeLongis A (1986a) Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. J Pers Soc Psychol 50:571–579CrossRefPubMed
28.
Zurück zum Zitat Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Dunkel-Shetter C, DeLongis A, Gruen RJ (1986b) Dynamics of stressful encounter: cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. J Pers Soc Psychol 50:992–1003CrossRefPubMed Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Dunkel-Shetter C, DeLongis A, Gruen RJ (1986b) Dynamics of stressful encounter: cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. J Pers Soc Psychol 50:992–1003CrossRefPubMed
29.
Zurück zum Zitat Folkman S, Chesney M, McKusick L, Ironson G, Johnson DS, Coates TJ (1991) Translating coping theory into an intervention. In: Eckenrode J (ed) The social context of coping. Plenum, New York, pp 239–260 Folkman S, Chesney M, McKusick L, Ironson G, Johnson DS, Coates TJ (1991) Translating coping theory into an intervention. In: Eckenrode J (ed) The social context of coping. Plenum, New York, pp 239–260
30.
Zurück zum Zitat Funch DP, Marshall JR, Gebhardt GP (1986) Assessment of a short scale to measure social support. Soc Sci Med 23:337–344CrossRefPubMed Funch DP, Marshall JR, Gebhardt GP (1986) Assessment of a short scale to measure social support. Soc Sci Med 23:337–344CrossRefPubMed
31.
Zurück zum Zitat Gray RE, Goel V, Fitch MI, Franssen E, Labrecque M (2002) Supportive care provided by physicians and nurses to women with breast cancer. Results from a population-based survey. Support Care Cancer 10:647–652CrossRefPubMed Gray RE, Goel V, Fitch MI, Franssen E, Labrecque M (2002) Supportive care provided by physicians and nurses to women with breast cancer. Results from a population-based survey. Support Care Cancer 10:647–652CrossRefPubMed
32.
Zurück zum Zitat Holahan CJ, Moos RH (1986) Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. J Pers Soc Psychol 51:389–395CrossRefPubMed Holahan CJ, Moos RH (1986) Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. J Pers Soc Psychol 51:389–395CrossRefPubMed
33.
Zurück zum Zitat House JS, Robbins C, Metzner HL (1982) The association of special relationships and activities with mortality: Prospective evidence from the Tecumseh community health study. Am J Epidemiol 116:123–140PubMed House JS, Robbins C, Metzner HL (1982) The association of special relationships and activities with mortality: Prospective evidence from the Tecumseh community health study. Am J Epidemiol 116:123–140PubMed
34.
Zurück zum Zitat House JS, Landis KR, Umberson D (1988) Social relationships and health. Science 241:540–545PubMed House JS, Landis KR, Umberson D (1988) Social relationships and health. Science 241:540–545PubMed
35.
Zurück zum Zitat Iacovino V, Reesor K (1997) Literature on interventions to address cancer patients’ psychosocial needs: What does it tell us? Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 15:47–71 Iacovino V, Reesor K (1997) Literature on interventions to address cancer patients’ psychosocial needs: What does it tell us? Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 15:47–71
36.
Zurück zum Zitat Lazarus RS (1990) Stress, coping, and illness. In: Friedman HS (ed) Personality and disease. Wiley, New York, pp 97–120 Lazarus RS (1990) Stress, coping, and illness. In: Friedman HS (ed) Personality and disease. Wiley, New York, pp 97–120
37.
Zurück zum Zitat Lazarus RS (1993) Coping theory and research: past, present, and future. Psychosom Med 55:234–247PubMed Lazarus RS (1993) Coping theory and research: past, present, and future. Psychosom Med 55:234–247PubMed
38.
Zurück zum Zitat Lehto-Järnstedt U-S (2000) Social Support and Psychological Stress Processes in the Early Phase of Cancer. Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 765. Vammalan kirjapaino Oy, Vammala. Also available at Acta Electronica Universitatis Tamperensis 53: http://acta.uta.fi Lehto-Järnstedt U-S (2000) Social Support and Psychological Stress Processes in the Early Phase of Cancer. Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 765. Vammalan kirjapaino Oy, Vammala. Also available at Acta Electronica Universitatis Tamperensis 53: http://​acta.​uta.​fi
39.
Zurück zum Zitat McDowell I, Newell C (1996) Social health. In: Measuring health. A guide to rating scales and questionnaires. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 122–176 McDowell I, Newell C (1996) Social health. In: Measuring health. A guide to rating scales and questionnaires. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 122–176
40.
Zurück zum Zitat van der Molen B (1999) Relating information needs to the cancer experience: 1. Information as a key coping strategy. Eur J Cancer Care 8:238–244CrossRef van der Molen B (1999) Relating information needs to the cancer experience: 1. Information as a key coping strategy. Eur J Cancer Care 8:238–244CrossRef
41.
Zurück zum Zitat Mossman J, Boudioni M, Slevin ML (1999) Cancer information: a cost-effective intervention. Eur J Cancer 35:1587–1591PubMed Mossman J, Boudioni M, Slevin ML (1999) Cancer information: a cost-effective intervention. Eur J Cancer 35:1587–1591PubMed
42.
Zurück zum Zitat Orth-Gomer K, Unden A-L (1987) The measurement of social support in population surveys. Soc Sci Med 24:83–94CrossRefPubMed Orth-Gomer K, Unden A-L (1987) The measurement of social support in population surveys. Soc Sci Med 24:83–94CrossRefPubMed
43.
Zurück zum Zitat O’Reilly P (1988) Methodological issues in social support and social network research. Soc Sci Med 26:863–873CrossRefPubMed O’Reilly P (1988) Methodological issues in social support and social network research. Soc Sci Med 26:863–873CrossRefPubMed
44.
Zurück zum Zitat Ross L, Boesen EH, Dalton SO, Johansen C (2002) Mind and cancer: does psychosocial intervention improve survival and psychological well being? Eur J Cancer 38:1447–1457CrossRefPubMed Ross L, Boesen EH, Dalton SO, Johansen C (2002) Mind and cancer: does psychosocial intervention improve survival and psychological well being? Eur J Cancer 38:1447–1457CrossRefPubMed
45.
Zurück zum Zitat Rowland JH (1989) Interpersonal resources: Social support. In: Holland JC, Rowland JH (eds) Handbook of psychooncology, psychological care of the patient with cancer. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 58–71 Rowland JH (1989) Interpersonal resources: Social support. In: Holland JC, Rowland JH (eds) Handbook of psychooncology, psychological care of the patient with cancer. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 58–71
46.
Zurück zum Zitat Sarason IG, Levine HM, Basham RB, Sarason BR (1983) Assessing social support: The social support questionnaire. J Pers Soc Psychol 44:127–139CrossRef Sarason IG, Levine HM, Basham RB, Sarason BR (1983) Assessing social support: The social support questionnaire. J Pers Soc Psychol 44:127–139CrossRef
47.
Zurück zum Zitat Sarason BR, Sarason IG, Pierce GR (1990) Traditional views of social support and their impact on assessment. In: Sarason BR, Sarason IG, Pierce GR (eds) Social support: An interactional view. Wiley, New York, pp 9–25 Sarason BR, Sarason IG, Pierce GR (1990) Traditional views of social support and their impact on assessment. In: Sarason BR, Sarason IG, Pierce GR (eds) Social support: An interactional view. Wiley, New York, pp 9–25
48.
49.
50.
Zurück zum Zitat Spiegel D, Bloom JR, Kraemer HC, Gottheil E (1989) Effect of psychosocial treatment on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Lancet II:888–891CrossRef Spiegel D, Bloom JR, Kraemer HC, Gottheil E (1989) Effect of psychosocial treatment on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Lancet II:888–891CrossRef
51.
Zurück zum Zitat Stewart MJ (1989) Social support: Diverse theoretical perspectives. Soc Sci Med 28:1275–1282CrossRefPubMed Stewart MJ (1989) Social support: Diverse theoretical perspectives. Soc Sci Med 28:1275–1282CrossRefPubMed
52.
Zurück zum Zitat Söllner W, Zschocke I, Zingg-Schir M, Stein B, Rumpold G, Fritsch P, Augustin M (1999) Interactive patterns of social support and individual coping strategies in melanoma patients and their correlations with adjustment to illness. Psychosomatics 40:239–250PubMed Söllner W, Zschocke I, Zingg-Schir M, Stein B, Rumpold G, Fritsch P, Augustin M (1999) Interactive patterns of social support and individual coping strategies in melanoma patients and their correlations with adjustment to illness. Psychosomatics 40:239–250PubMed
53.
54.
Zurück zum Zitat Vaux A (1985) Variations of social support associated with gender, ethnicity, and age. J Soc Issues 41:89–110 Vaux A (1985) Variations of social support associated with gender, ethnicity, and age. J Soc Issues 41:89–110
55.
Zurück zum Zitat Winemiller DR, Mitchell ME, Sutliff J, Cline DJ (1993) Measurement strategies in social support: A descriptive review of the literature. J Clin Psychol 49:638–648PubMed Winemiller DR, Mitchell ME, Sutliff J, Cline DJ (1993) Measurement strategies in social support: A descriptive review of the literature. J Clin Psychol 49:638–648PubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Cancer-specific social support received by newly diagnosed cancer patients: validating the new Structural-Functional Social Support Scale (SFSS) measurement tool
verfasst von
Ulla-Sisko Lehto-Järnstedt
Markku Ojanen
Pirkko Kellokumpu-Lehtinen
Publikationsdatum
01.05.2004
Verlag
Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 5/2004
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0620-7

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 5/2004

Supportive Care in Cancer 5/2004 Zur Ausgabe

Adjuvante Immuntherapie verlängert Leben bei RCC

25.04.2024 Nierenkarzinom Nachrichten

Nun gibt es auch Resultate zum Gesamtüberleben: Eine adjuvante Pembrolizumab-Therapie konnte in einer Phase-3-Studie das Leben von Menschen mit Nierenzellkarzinom deutlich verlängern. Die Sterberate war im Vergleich zu Placebo um 38% geringer.

Alectinib verbessert krankheitsfreies Überleben bei ALK-positivem NSCLC

25.04.2024 NSCLC Nachrichten

Das Risiko für Rezidiv oder Tod von Patienten und Patientinnen mit reseziertem ALK-positivem NSCLC ist unter einer adjuvanten Therapie mit dem Tyrosinkinase-Inhibitor Alectinib signifikant geringer als unter platinbasierter Chemotherapie.

Bei Senioren mit Prostatakarzinom auf Anämie achten!

24.04.2024 DGIM 2024 Nachrichten

Patienten, die zur Behandlung ihres Prostatakarzinoms eine Androgendeprivationstherapie erhalten, entwickeln nicht selten eine Anämie. Wer ältere Patienten internistisch mitbetreut, sollte auf diese Nebenwirkung achten.

ICI-Therapie in der Schwangerschaft wird gut toleriert

Müssen sich Schwangere einer Krebstherapie unterziehen, rufen Immuncheckpointinhibitoren offenbar nicht mehr unerwünschte Wirkungen hervor als andere Mittel gegen Krebs.

Update Onkologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.