Abstract
Objective: To investigate the influence of emotional support on the quality of life (QoL) of older cancer survivors. Method: We use data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to assess the relationship between perceived emotional support and QoL, comparing people who were cancer survivors (n = 533) to people without cancer (n = 8,203). Results: Most people reported high emotional support and had good QoL (M = 42.57, scale = 0-57). However, linear regression modeling showed cancer survivors had on average slightly lower QoL (–2.10 SE = 0.82). Those who reported having low support reported much poorer QoL; this relationship was similar for both cancer survivors and people without cancer. Discussion: The impact of low emotional support on QoL compounds with the independent detrimental effect of being a cancer survivor. Interventions that increase emotional support are likely to improve QoL for cancer survivors.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1850-1871 |
| Journal | Journal of Aging and Health |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Early online date | 10 Sept 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2019 |
Keywords
- emotional support
- quality of life
- older people
- cancer
- ELSA
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Cathie Marsh Institute
