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Psychosocial Factors Related to the Correspondence of Recipient and Provider Perceptions of Social Support among Patients Diagnosed with or at Risk for Malignant Melanoma

Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Dean G. Cruess

Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, USA dcruess{at}psych.upenn.edu

Lynn M. Schuchter

Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, USA

Michael E. Ming

Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, USA

This study examined considered perceptions of social support and factors contributing to increased support among 18 patients diagnosed with or at risk for malignant melanoma and their partners. Partner support, perceived stress, emotional approach coping and partner empathy were evaluated. Results showed lack of correspondence between patient and partner reports of support. Greater correspondence between reports was associated with increased patient emotional approach coping. Partners reported increased empathy following the patients’ diagnoses and more perceived stress than patients. Patients indicated greater use of emotional approach coping than their partners. Male partners reported engaging in less emotional expression than female partners. Interventions might incorporate partner participation to resolve misperceptions of support and to foster factors that promote increased support.

Key Words: cancer • emotional expression • empathy • melanoma • partner social support

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 8, No. 6, 705-719 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/13591053030086005


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