Social networks and social support for healthy eating among Latina breast cancer survivors: implications for social and behavioral interventions

• Published in: Journal of cancer survivorship 2016-04, Vol.10 (2), p.291-301
• Main Authors: Crookes, Danielle M., Shelton, Rachel C., Tehranifar, Parisa, Aycinena, Corina, Gaffney, Ann Ogden, Koch, Pam, Contento, Isobel R., Greenlee, Heather
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Behavioral psychology; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - ethnology; Diet; Feeding Behavior - psychology; Female; Health Informatics; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Health Services; Hispanic American studies; Hispanic or Latino - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Primary Care Medicine; Public Health; Quality of Life Research; Social Networking; Social networks; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1932-2259; 1932-2267
• DOI: 10.1007/s11764-015-0475-6

Purpose Little is known about Latina breast cancer survivors’ social networks or their perceived social support to achieve and maintain a healthy diet. This paper describes the social networks and perceived support for healthy eating in a sample of breast cancer survivors of predominantly Dominican descent living in New York City. Methods Spanish-speaking Latina breast cancer survivors enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a culturally tailored dietary intervention. Social networks were assessed using Cohen’s Social Network Index and a modified General Social Survey Social Networks Module that included assessments of shared health promoting behaviors. Perceived social support from family and friends for healthy, food-related behaviors was assessed. Results Participants’ networks consisted predominantly of family and friends. Family members were more likely than other individuals to be identified as close network members. Participants were more likely to share food-related activities than exercise activities with close network members. Perceived social support for healthy eating was high, although perceived support from spouses and children was higher than support from friends. Despite high levels of perceived support, family was also identified as a barrier to eating healthy foods by nearly half of women. Conclusions Although friends are part of Latina breast cancer survivors’ social networks, spouses and children may provide greater support for healthy eating than friends. Implications for Cancer Survivors Involving family members in dietary interventions for Latina breast cancer survivors may tap into positive sources of support for women, which could facilitate uptake and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors.