Morris, B. A. and Chambers, S. K. and Campbell, M. and Dwyer, M. and Dunn, J. (2012) Motorcycles and breast cancer: the influence of peer support and challenge on distress and posttraumatic growth. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20 (8). pp. 1849-1858. ISSN 0941-4355
Abstract
Purpose Peer support programs based on exercise or challenge activities may have potential to improve well-being for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The current study investigated the role of social comparison and social identity based on group membership on posttraumatic growth (PTG) and distress. Methods Fifty-one women diagnosed with breast cancer who participated in a 1, 000 mi group motorcycle ride completed pre-and post-ride surveys. Participants had a mean age of 49.82 years (SD=7.04) and their average time since diagnosis was 6.39 years (SD=3.89). Results Cancer-related distress significantly decreased after the ride. PTG did not significantly differ after the ride, which may have been a result of a ceiling effect on this measure. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that preride PTG (p<0.01) and upward social comparison during the ride (p<0.05) were related to post-ride PTG. Pre-ride distress was the only variable to remain significantly related to post-ride distress (p<0.01). Conclusions The results of the current study highlight the potential for challenge-based activities to provide a positive peer support environment for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Identifying factors that promote personal growth and reduce cancer-related distress allow us to create a model for the delivery of these challenge-based peer support activities.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
| Faculty / Department / School: | No Faculty |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Jun 2017 01:50 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Jun 2017 01:50 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Cancer; Distress; Posttraumatic growth; Social comparison; Social identity; Cancer; Public Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology; Psychiatry; |
| Fields of Research : | 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis > 111299 Oncology and Carcinogenesis not elsewhere classified |
| Socio-Economic Objective: | E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences |
| Identification Number or DOI: | 10.1007/s00520-011-1287-5 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/32047 |
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