Table 4.
Social experiences
| Authors | Date | Sample | Method | Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guidry et al. (49) | 1997 | 593 cancer survivors (white, Hispanic, and AA) | Cross-sectional survey | Informal social support networks such as extended families and civic clubs more helpful for AAs and Hispanics than Whites |
| Bourjolly (50) | 1998 | 41 AA and 61 White women breast CA | Cross-sectional survey | Higher reliance on spirituality (private and public) in AA women than White women as a coping resource |
| Bourjolly et al. (51) | 1999 | 41 AA and 61 White women breast CA | Cross-sectional survey | Greater difficulty in social functioning (self-care, household, occupational, social, and community activities) in AAs than in White counterparts |
| Bowie et al. (52) | 2003 | 14 AA and 24 White men prostate CA | Mixed: Survey and focus groups | Higher importance of religion and spirituality noted in AA men. Membership and attendance at church important factors of spirituality |
| Henderson et al. (53) | 2003 | 66 AA females with breast CA | Descriptive focus groups | Supportive networks and culturally sensitive support groups vital and reported a need for culturally sensitive support groups |
| Shellman (54) | 2004 | 7 AA males/females >70 yrs. of age | Phenomenology | Religion helped them “get through life”; discrimination reported |
| Jones et al. (55) | 2008 | 14 AAs with prostate CA | Interviews | Support from family and friends played an important role in helping men cope with treatment and recovery |
| Black et al. (56) | 2009 | 6 AA males >80 years of age | Ethnographic interviews | Struggles of racism provided strength for dealing with insensitivities of medical community |
| Agarwal et al. (46) | 2010 | 238 AA cancer survivors (breast, lung, colon) | Cross-sectional survey | Higher QOL present with perceived support from family friends |
| Jones et al. (57) | 2011 | 23 AAs with prostate CA | Hermeneutic phenomenological approach with focus groups | Themes found: major social resources were wives. Physician support also important. Having insurance led to decreased anxiety |
| Tkatch et al. (58) | 2011 | 115 cardiac rehab patients: White and AA | Cross-sectional survey | More support, better health behaviors, and higher coping efficacy in AAs with large inner networks |
| Hinojosa et al. (59) | 2011 | 77 (AA, White, and Puerto-Rican) stroke patients | Mixed: grounded theory and surveys | AA’s less socially isolated than white counterparts. If participants socially isolated during first year post stroke, higher levels of depressive symptoms and decreased ability to manage daily activities existed |
| Chatman et al. (60) | 2011 | 32 AA females with breast CA | Mixed: focus groups then structured interviews | Cancer had negative impact on intimate social relationships |
| Dilorio et al. (61) | 2011 | 320 males with prostate CA (42% AA) | Cross-sectional survey | Cancer did not have negative impact on intimate relationships. Participants reported some physician bias in cultural beliefs |
| Harper et al. (62) | 2013 | 17AAs with colorectal cancer | Focus groups | Medical mistrust, suspicion, and negative attitudes linked to concern about HCP’s motives |