The Association of Social Support and Leisure Time Physical Activity with Mental Health Among Individuals with Cancer
Date
2019-12
Authors
Kim, Jaehyun
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Abstract
Individuals with cancer often report high levels of negative social and
psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Despite the
importance of emotional, information, and tangible support and leisure time physical
activity (LTPA) participation among individuals with cancer, there is limited quantitative
studies that examine how those factors are associated with mental health of individuals
with cancer. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mediating role of LTPA in the
relationship between emotional, information, and tangible support and mental health
among individuals with cancer. This study used Health Information National Trends
Survey (HINTS), a national data set published in 2017. Path analysis revealed that that
emotional, information, and tangible social support had direct effects on mental health.
Moreover, the results of this study indicated that only emotional support was a significant
predictor of LTPA among individuals with cancer. The results of the bootstrapping test
indicated that there was a significant mediating effect of LPTA on the relationship
between emotional support and mental health. That is, individuals with cancer who
perceived emotional support tended to engage in LTPA and thus reported better mental
health. Results of this study emphasizes the value of emotional support for LTPA
participation and mental health among individuals with cancer. Healthcare professionals
including recreational therapists who work with individuals with cancer need to
implement a variety of emotional support groups for cancer patients and survivors.
Description
Keywords
Social support, Leisure time, Physical activity, Mental health, Cancer
Citation
Kim, J. (2019). <i>The association of social support and leisure time physical activity with mental health among individuals with cancer</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.