The Effect of Self-Help Group Emotional Support on Cancer Survivors' QOL

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of emotional support on the QOL of cancer survivors who participated in self-help groups. Based on the conceptual models of Katz (1998) and Ferrell (1995), two instruments, Emotional Support of Self-Help Group (ES-SHG) and Quality of Life-Cancer Survivor translated version (QOL-CS) were developed by the researchers, and were examined the reliability and validity of both instruments.

A questionnaire, which addressed ES-SHG and QOL-CS, was administered to 234 cancer survivors who participated in self-help groups. One hundred and forty six (62.4%) survivors responded to the questionnaire. Then, one hundred and twenty one respondents were analyzed in this study.

The cancer survivors who participated in the self-help groups had completed medical treatments but still experienced some difficulties such as disturbance of daily life, side effect/aftereffect discomfort, and fear or distress about metastasis or recurrence. However, about 85% of cancer survivors indicated that they had positive changes after participating self-help groups, and about 49% mentioned that their emotional status and self-evaluation had been improved.

The self-help group emotional support factors were classified by factor analysis (principal factor method-promax rotation) as “the supportive effects on self-esteem/-acceptance,” and “the supportive effects on changing self-recognition and self-determination.” In addition, by multiple regression analysis, “the supportive effects on self-esteem/-acceptance” was shown to be a factor influencing cancer survivors' QOL.