Perceived breast cancer risk, social support, and distress among a community-based sample of women

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2009;27(2):230-47. doi: 10.1080/07347330902776002.

Abstract

Four dimensions of perceived social support (emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, positive social interaction) were examined as moderators of the effect of perceived breast cancer risk on distress in a cross-sectional sample of 1,366 women recruited from the general population. Heightened perceived breast cancer risk predicted higher levels of depression, but only among women who reported low levels of perceived emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, and positive social interaction support. Tangible and positive social interaction support mitigated the negative effect of heightened risk perception on anxiety. Perceived breast cancer risk was associated with greater cancer worry, regardless of the degree of social support perception. However, this association was weaker for women who perceived greater positive social interaction support. The results suggest that women's perceptions of social support availability can protect them against some of the adverse emotional consequences of heightened breast cancer risk perceptions.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Education
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment*
  • Social Support*
  • Washington
  • Young Adult