Effects of two types of social support and education on adaptation to early-stage breast cancer

Res Nurs Health. 2002 Dec;25(6):459-70. doi: 10.1002/nur.10061.

Abstract

A Roy adaptation model-based support and education intervention for women with early-stage breast cancer was tested in a three-group, three-phase randomized clinical trial of a sample of 125 women. The experimental group received 13 months of combined individual telephone and in-person group support and education, Control Group 1 received 13 months of telephone-only individual support and education, and Control Group 2 received one-time mailed educational information. The experimental group and Control Group 1 reported less mood disturbance at the end of all three phases, less loneliness at the end of Phases II and III, and a higher-quality relationship with a significant other at the end of Phase II than did Control Group 2. No group differences were found for cancer-related worry or well-being. The findings suggest that individual telephone support may provide an effective alternative to in-person support groups. Further study of telephone interventions is recommended using ethnically and economically heterogeneous samples.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Breast Neoplasms / nursing
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • New Jersey
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Self-Help Groups*
  • Social Support
  • Telephone*