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Grant Details

Grant Number: 5R21CA158877-02 Interpret this number
Primary Investigator: Lepore, Stephen
Organization: Temple Univ Of The Commonwealth
Project Title: A Novel Prosocial Online Support Group for Distressed Breast Cancer Survivors
Fiscal Year: 2012


Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Breast cancer (BC) survivors frequently use online support groups (OSGs) to help cope with their cancer, but evidence on the efficacy of OSGs for reducing psychological distress is weak. The proposed study assesses the potential efficacy (estimate effect sizes), acceptability, feasibility, and mediators of an innovative "prosocial" OSG (PRO-OSG) for distressed BC survivors. PRO-OSG provides structured helping opportunities (blogs, outreach) and coaching on how to recognize needs and give support to others in a BC OSG. The project is based on the "helper therapy principle," which emphasizes the psychological benefits of giving (vs. receiving) help. This is the first study to evaluate a prosocial intervention in the context of an OSG. In Aim 1, we propose using a randomized trial to assess the efficacy and effect sizes of PRO-OSG relative to a standard facilitated OSG (S-OSG). We will collect data from distressed BC survivors 1 month pre- and post-intervention using valid and reliable measures appropriate for the population. Intention-to-treat analyses will be used to compare the effects of the two interventions on levels of depression/anxiety symptoms (primary outcomes) and sense of purpose (secondary outcome) (n = 180; 90 per group). We hypothesize that relative to S-OSG, PRO-OSG will have a lower level of symptoms and a higher level of sense of purpose post-intervention. Accuracy in parameter estimation techniques (AIPE) will be used to assess effect sizes on outcomes. In Aim 2, we will explore: (a) if the benefits of PRO-OSG on psychological symptoms are mediated by greater increases in positive affect, self-esteem, and sense of belonging among participants in the PRO-OSG versus S-OSG group; (b) if the benefit of PRO-OSG on sense of purpose is mediated by a greater increase in sense of belonging in the PRO-OSG versus S-OSG; and (c) if sense of belonging indirectly improves psychological symptoms by increasing sense of purpose. AIPE will be used to assess effect sizes on mediators. In Aim 3, we will examine acceptability (e.g., retention, satisfaction) and feasibility (e.g., amount of helping) of the PRO- OSG. The significant outcome of this project will be an innovative, theory-based OSG intervention model that maximizes reductions in psychological distress and increases sense of purpose among distressed BC survivors. The intervention is sustainable, because it can be implemented by organizations such as the Cancer Support Community, a partner on this project and the largest provider of free psychosocial support services for cancer survivors in North America. The intervention also can be adopted by other organizations, such as cancer centers, which to date have mostly offered face-to-face support groups with limited patient reach. Future directions include developing a larger-scale trial to further evaluate PRO- OSG; evaluating PRO-OSG in other cancer populations; and developing and assessing the efficacy of PRO-OSG training protocols that will enable peer leaders (vs. helping professionals) to facilitate OSGs.



Publications

Digital literacy linked to engagement and psychological benefits among breast cancer survivors in Internet-based peer support groups.
Authors: Lepore S.J. , Rincon M.A. , Buzaglo J.S. , Golant M. , Lieberman M.A. , Bauerle Bass S. , Chambers S. .
Source: European Journal Of Cancer Care, 2019 Jul; 28(4), p. e13134.
PMID: 31318132
Related Citations

Psychometric properties and correlates of a brief scale measuring the psychological construct mattering to others in a sample of women recovering from breast cancer.
Authors: Davis S.M. , Lepore S.J. , Dumenci L. .
Source: Quality Of Life Research : An International Journal Of Quality Of Life Aspects Of Treatment, Care And Rehabilitation, 2019 Jun; 28(6), p. 1605-1614.
EPub date: 2019-01-25 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 30684148
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Fighting spirit expressed by women with breast cancer in professional-and peer-led online support groups: effects on outcomes.
Authors: Lieberman M.A. , Lepore S. .
Source: Madridge Journal Of Cancer Study & Research, 2017; 1(1), p. 8-11.
EPub date: 2017-10-30 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 31453570
Related Citations

Personality Structure Among Centenarians: The Georgia Centenarian Study
Authors: Davey A. , Siegler I.C. , Martin P. , Costa P.T. , Poon L.W. , Georgia Centenarian Study .
Source: Experimental Aging Research, 2015; 41(4), p. 361-85.
PMID: 26214097
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Adopting A Survivor Identity After Cancer In A Peer Support Context
Authors: Morris B.A. , Lepore S.J. , Wilson B. , Lieberman M.A. , Dunn J. , Chambers S.K. .
Source: Journal Of Cancer Survivorship : Research And Practice, 2014 Sep; 8(3), p. 427-36.
PMID: 24706364
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Aging in Sweden: local variation, local control.
Authors: Davey A. , Malmberg B. , Sundström G. .
Source: The Gerontologist, 2014 Aug; 54(4), p. 525-32.
PMID: 24127459
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Cardiovascular health: a cross-national comparison between the Maine Syracuse Study (Central New York, USA) and ORISCAV-LUX (Luxembourg).
Authors: Crichton G.E. , Elias M.F. , Davey A. , Sauvageot N. , Delagardelle C. , Beissel J. , Alkerwi A. .
Source: Bmc Public Health, 2014-03-15 00:00:00.0; 14, p. 253.
EPub date: 2014-03-15 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 24628938
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Deterioration in renal function is associated with increased arterial stiffness.
Authors: Elias M.F. , Davey A. , Dore G.A. , Gillespie A. , Abhayaratna W.P. , Robbins M.A. .
Source: American Journal Of Hypertension, 2014 Feb; 27(2), p. 207-14.
PMID: 24080989
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Examining rectal carcinoids in the era of screening colonoscopy: a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results analysis.
Authors: Taghavi S. , Jayarajan S.N. , Powers B.D. , Davey A. , Willis A.I. .
Source: Diseases Of The Colon And Rectum, 2013 Aug; 56(8), p. 952-9.
PMID: 23838863
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Sources Of Variation On The Mini-mental State Examination In A Population-based Sample Of Centenarians
Authors: Dai T. , Davey A. , Woodard J.L. , Miller L.S. , Gondo Y. , Kim S.H. , Poon L.W. .
Source: Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 2013 Aug; 61(8), p. 1369-76.
PMID: 23889552
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Decline in renal functioning is associated with longitudinal decline in global cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning and verbal memory.
Authors: Davey A. , Elias M.F. , Robbins M.A. , Seliger S.L. , Dore G.A. .
Source: Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation : Official Publication Of The European Dialysis And Transplant Association - European Renal Association, 2013 Jul; 28(7), p. 1810-9.
PMID: 23166308
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Profiles of cognitive functioning in a population-based sample of centenarians using factor mixture analysis.
Authors: Davey A. , Dai T. , Woodard J.L. , Miller L.S. , Gondo Y. , Johnson M.A. , Hausman D.B. , Martin P. , Green R.C. , Allen R.H. , et al. .
Source: Experimental Aging Research, 2013; 39(2), p. 125-44.
PMID: 23421635
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Prognostic significance of signet ring gastric cancer.
Authors: Taghavi S. , Jayarajan S.N. , Davey A. , Willis A.I. .
Source: Journal Of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal Of The American Society Of Clinical Oncology, 2012-10-01 00:00:00.0; 30(28), p. 3493-8.
EPub date: 2012-10-01 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 22927530
Related Citations

Diabetes Mellitus In Centenarians
Authors: Davey A. , Lele U. , Elias M.F. , Dore G.A. , Siegler I.C. , Johnson M.A. , Hausman D.B. , Tenover J.L. , Poon L.W. , Georgia Centenarian Study .
Source: Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 2012 Mar; 60(3), p. 468-73.
PMID: 22283370
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Successful Recruitment Of Centenarians For Post-mortem Brain Donation: Results From The Georgia Centenarian Study
Authors: Shaw K. , Gearing M. , Davey A. , Burgess M. , Poon L.W. , Martin P. , Green R.C. .
Source: The Journal Of Bioscience And Medicine, 2012; 2(1), .
PMID: 24013849
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