Racial differences in social support and coping among family caregivers of patients with prostate cancer

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2013;31(3):305-18. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2013.778931.

Abstract

More than 60 million Americans are informal caregivers to adults, which can negatively affect their health. Data from 126 White and 62 African American female caregivers in North Carolina were analyzed to describe social support and coping among family caregivers of patients with prostate cancer and to assess for racial differences. Social support amount and some coping methods differed by race. There was no racial difference in social support satisfaction. Borderline significant difference in social support by health status was found and this differed by race. These racial differences should be explored further to better understand the availability of caregiving resources and their health effects.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Caregivers / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Social Support*
  • White People / psychology*
  • White People / statistics & numerical data