What is the mechanism effect that links social support to coping and psychological outcome within individuals affected by prostate cancer? Real time data collection using mobile technology.

Paterson, Catherine; Jones, Martyn; Rattray, Janice; Lauder, William; Nabi, Ghulam

Abstract

Unmet support needs are prevalent in men affected by prostate cancer. Moreover, little is known about the optimal type of social support, or its mechanism effect between coping and emotional outcome in men affected by this disease to identify areas for clinical intervention. This study aimed to empirically test the propositions of social support theory in "real time" within individual men living with and beyond prostate cancer. A purposeful sub-sample - from a larger prospective longitudinal study of prostate cancer survivors - took part in real-time data collection using mobile technology. Self-reports were collected for 31 days, prompted by an audio alarm three times per day (a total of 93 data entries), for each of the 12 case studies. Electronic data were analysed using time series analysis. The majority of response rates were > 90%. Men reported a lack of satisfaction with their support over time. Testing the propositions of social support theory "within individuals" over time demonstrated different results for main effect, moderation and mediation pathways that linked coping and social support to emotional outcome. For two men, negative effects of social support were identified. For six men the propositions of social support theory did not hold, considering their within-person data. This innovative study is one of the first to demonstrate the acceptability of e-health technology in an ageing population of men affected by prostate cancer. Collectively, the case series provided mixed support for the propositions of social support theory and demonstrates that "one size does not fit all".

Citation

PATERSON, C., JONES, M., RATTRAY, J., LAUDER, W. and NABI, G. 2016. What is the mechanism effect that links social support to coping and psychological outcome within individuals affected by prostate cancer? Real time data collection using mobile technology. European journal of oncology nursing [online], 21, pages 126-133. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2015.09.002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 22, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Oct 3, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 30, 2016
• Deposit Date: Mar 4, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 4, 2021
• Journal: European Journal of Oncology Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1462-3889
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-2122
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Pages: 126-133
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2015.09.002
• Keywords: Prostate cancer; Social support; Mobile technology; eHealth
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1239885