Abstract

Despite high levels of both emotional and physical distress and desire for utilization of support group services, lung cancer patients rarely participate in these supportive services. Lung cancer survivors’ interest in and use of supportive psychosocial services remains poorly understood, and Internet-based services may be of particular benefit to this population. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, which emphasizes Predisposing (i.e., demographic as well as attitudes about support services), Enabling (i.e., accessibility of services), and Illness (i.e., need for services based on health) factors, was applied to the prediction of survivors’ behavioral intention to participate in face-to-face support groups (F2F) and online support groups (OSGs). Adult lung cancer survivors (n =119) were recruited across 2 cancer treatment facilities and were asked to complete a series of self-report measures. Interest levels in F2F (20.1%) and OSGs (21.0%) were comparable. For the multivariate model of F2F groups, the Enabling factor of time was the most salient predictor of intention to join these groups, F (3,96) =12.580, p< 0.001, R2= .282. For the multivariate OSG model, the Predisposing factor variables of both greater avoidance-style coping (p =.21) and a greater positive attitude toward OSGs (p=.006) were significantly predictive of intention to join OSGs, F (4, 82) =16.009, p< .001, R2 = .438. These findings suggest that a modified healthcare utilization model is predictive of intentions to use F2F and OSGs, and distinct models were identified for each type of service. These findings may inform future efforts to better address the psychosocial needs of lung cancer survivors.

LLU Discipline

Experimental Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Science and Technology

First Advisor

Jason E. Owen

Second Advisor

Kendal C. Boyd

Third Advisor

David Vermeersch

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

2010

Date (Title Page)

9-2010

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Lung Neoplasms; Survivors -- psychology; Adaptation, Psychological; Self-Help Groups -- organization & administration; Models, Psychological.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

xii; 63

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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