Social capital, social support and long-term quality of life
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: The proposed study will explore why some long-term breast cancer survivors experience high levels of quality of life and functional ability while others report physical and mental concerns long after treatment. It is important to discover the reasons why some breast cancer survivors recover more fully and remain healthy while others do not so that public health researchers and practitioners can promote the well-being of all survivors. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The goal of this study is to identify characteristics of the San Francisco Bay Area neighborhoods in which survivors live that positively affect the quality of their lives and functional health status. Specifically, the project examines whether differences in survivors’ quality of life are predicated by the amount of social capital available in a survivor’s neighborhood and/or the amount of social support a survivor receives. Social capital is defined as the degree of social cohesion, interaction, trust, reciprocity, and sense of mutual obligation experienced among members of a neighborhood. Social support is defined as the number of confidants and social connections a survivor has. Four main questions drive the study. First, is there something about the neighborhoods in which survivors live that affects their quality of life and functional status? Second, does social capital positively influence breast cancer survivors’ long-term well-being? Third, does social capital magnify the benefits of a survivor’s personal social support during long-term recovery from breast cancer? Fourth, do women from different backgrounds (e.g. race/ethnicity, education, income) react differently to social support and the level of social capital available in their neighborhoods? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Telephone interviews will be conducted with approximately 400 ten-year breast cancer survivors to collect information regarding their backgrounds, available social support, perceptions of neighborhood social capital, quality of life and functional health status. Additional information about the neighborhoods including the availability of voluntary and social organizations, crime incidence and voter participation will also be collected. Statistical analyses will be conducted to determine whether and how much a survivor’s personal background, available social support, and neighborhood characteristics (e.g. social capital) affect her quality of life/functional ability. Breast cancer survivors and advocates will be meaningfully involved in the proposed research, conducing telephone interviews and participating in focus groups to discuss study results and interpret findings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The study is innovative in that it is among the first to examine characteristics of neighborhoods that may positively influence breast cancer survivors’ heath outcomes. Findings could provide the basis to promote the development of new public health interventions, public health policy and neighborhood vitalization activities that increase the social capital of neighborhoods. Findings could also be used to support the production of social capital through community-building activities and other infrastructure investments. The development of neighborhood organizations (e.g. neighborhood watch groups, community newsletters, block parties) and increased opportunities for social interaction (e.g. community centers, safe parks, walking groups, support groups, book clubs) may offer support for long-term breast cancer survivors, enhance their quality of life, and diminish some of their functional difficulties.