Aim: To look at how a women's social relationships influence their reponse to breast cancer and survival
Method: A quasi experiment with women who were diagnoised with breast cancer, info gathered through questionnaires and interviews + medical records
Participants: 133 women under 55 who
Design: Independent measures, different levels of social networks
Procedure: P's were given questionnaires to gather info about social netowrks and demographics. Questions also including education, no. of children. Details of diagnosis gained from medical records.
Findings: # Six aspects of social network linked to survival: 1. martial status 2. friends 3. contact with friends 4. total support 5. social network 5. emplyment # Qualitative data showed that pracical help e.g. taking care of children was fundamental # Married women reported supportive husbands # Jobs were important as a source of support
Conclusions: Several characteristics of a womens social network were linked to survival. However the state at which the cancer is diagnosed is still the most important factor
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