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Social networks and quality of life for long-term survivors of leukemia and lymphoma

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Abstract

Goals

This study examined the relationship between personal and medical characteristics and quality of life (QOL) for long-term survivors (LTS) of leukemia and lymphoma, and how social networks influence this relationship.

Patients and methods

Fifty three LTS, at least 10 years postdiagnosis, were administered a standardized psychometric instrument, the Quality of Life—Cancer Survivors, to assess multidimensional aspects of QOL. Social network characteristics were measured by items assessing social support satisfaction, use of supportive care services, network size, and reliance on formal and informal social ties.

Main results

A hierarchical regression model explained 52.4% of the variance in QOL for the final model, including all important predictors. Social support satisfaction (β=0.393, p=0.001) and the use of supportive care services (β=−0.262, p=0.047) significantly predicted QOL after controlling for confounding variables. Social network structures (including network size and reliance on formal and informal social ties) were indirectly associated with QOL through the use of supportive care services.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the use of supportive care services, satisfaction with social support, network size, and reliance on formal and informal social ties affect QOL for long-term cancer survivors. Enhancing cancer survivors’ social networks may ultimately improve their QOL.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express our appreciation to Kathleen Ell, Helen Land, Tyan Parker Dominguez, and Harland Sather for their helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 MRF Building, West 34th Street, #102W, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA

    Jung-won Lim & Brad Zebrack

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  1. Jung-won Lim
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  2. Brad Zebrack
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Correspondence to Jung-won Lim.

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Lim, Jw., Zebrack, B. Social networks and quality of life for long-term survivors of leukemia and lymphoma. Support Care Cancer 14, 185–192 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-005-0856-x

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