Women with family cancer history are at risk for poorer physical quality of life and lower self-efficacy: a longitudinal study among men and women with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: We investigated the determinants of trajectories of physical symptoms related to lung cancer (a quality of life [QOL] aspect) and self-efficacy among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It was hypothesized that gender and family cancer history in first-degree relatives would have synergistic effects on QOL-lung cancer specific symptoms and self-efficacy. Women with family cancer history were expected to be at risk of poorer adjustment.

Enabling, Not Cultivating: Received Social Support and Self-Efficacy Explain Quality of Life After Lung Cancer Surgery.

Background: Although the effects of self-efficacy and social support on health outcomes are well established, it is crucial to find out if these predictors are chained in a specific way, with either self-efficacy prompting support receipt or with support receipt prompting self-efficacy.

Purpose: In the context of adaptation after lung cancer surgery, this study investigated (1) the cultivation hypothesis, assuming that the relationship between self-efficacy and quality-of-life indices would be mediated by social support received from medical personnel, family, and friends, and (2) the enabling hypothesis, assuming that the association between received social support and quality-of-life indices would be mediated by self-efficacy.

Method: Patients with the first onset of non-small-cell lung cancer (N = 102) filled in questionnaires at 3-4 days after segmentectomy or lobectomy (time 1), at 1-month follow-up (time 2), and at 4-month follow-up (time 3).

Social support and quality of life among lung cancer patients: a systematic review.

Objective: This systematic review analyzed the relationships between social support and quality of life (QOL) indicators among lung cancer patients. In particular, the patterns of relationships between different social support facets and sources (received and perceived support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends) and QOL aspects (emotional, physical symptoms, functional, and social) as well as the global QOL index were investigated.

Methods: The review yielded 14 original studies (57% applying cross-sectional designs) analyzing data from a total of 2759 patients.