Perceived stress mediates the effects of social support on health-related quality of life among men treated for localized prostate cancer

Zhou, Eric S.; Penedo, Frank J.; Lewis, John E.; Rasheed, Mikal; Traeger, Lara; Lechner, Suzanne; Soloway, Mark; Kava, Bruce R.; Antoni, Michael H.

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2010.04.019

« Previous Next »Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume 69, Issue 6 , Pages 587-590, December 2010

Perceived stress mediates the effects of social support on health-related quality of life among men treated for localized prostate cancer

Eric S. Zhou
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Frank J. Penedo
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Miami VA Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. Tel.: +1 305 284 6711; fax: +1 305 284 3947.
John E. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Mikal Rasheed
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Lara Traeger
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Suzanne Lechner
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Mark Soloway
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Bruce R. Kava
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Michael H. Antoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185 Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Received 4 September 2009; received in revised form 4 February 2010; accepted 9 April 2010. published online 02 September 2010.

Abstract

Objective

To examine the longitudinal effect of social support on general health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men treated for localized prostate cancer, and to evaluate the role of perceived stress as a potential mediator of that relationship, in an ethnically and demographically diverse sample.

Methods

Psychosocial assessments were administered to a sample of 175 men at baseline, and 2 years later. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships between social support, perceived stress and HRQOL, while controlling for possible covariates that may affect HRQOL (e.g., age, time since diagnosis, medical comorbidities, etc.).

Results

Higher levels of social support at baseline predicted higher levels of HRQOL at 2-year follow-up after controlling for relevant covariates and baseline levels of HRQOL. This relationship was partially mediated by level of perceived stress at baseline. Furthermore, men perceiving high levels of social support reported significantly higher HRQOL compared with men perceiving low levels of social support.

Conclusions

Results indicate positive social relationships contribute to improved HRQOL in patients who have undergone treatment for localized prostate cancer. One pathway through which social support can benefit HRQOL is through lower perceptions of stress. Enhancing or maintaining social support and reducing perceived stress may be potential targets for future psychosocial interventions aimed at improving HRQOL.

Keywords: Health-related quality of life, Perceived stress, Prostate cancer, Social support