The role of social support in physical activity for cancer survivors: A systematic review
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Objective: Social support is conceptualized and operationalized in many ways, making it challenging to understand what types of support best predict physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. This review examined associations between social support and PA among cancer survivors. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases for studies that reported an association between social support and PA among adult cancer survivors. We conducted an appraisal and a narrative synthesis of the findings from quantitative studies. Results: Fifty studies representing 28 366 participants were included. Studies collectively included concepts addressing the presence of relationships, others' PA behavior, perceptions of being supported, and function/quality. Findings were mixed in suggesting a positive or null association with PA. Conclusions: While results are not definitive, this review takes a step toward mapping the social support literature in PA for cancer survivors. Limitations include the homogeneity of the participants in extant studies, and the secondary focus on testing the effects of social support on outcomes. Future research systematically testing the effects of social support is important for facilitating PA in this population.
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Previous research has indicated social support to be an important determinant of physical activity engagement.
“Previous research has also indicated social support to be an important determinant of physical activity engagement [242–244].”
From Rates of compliance and adherence to high-intensity interval training: a systematic review and Meta-analyses (2023) · cites this paper as [242]
The Summary of evidence reports largely positive significant associations between some forms of social support and physical activity among cancer survivors. It also describes the evidence as mixed, with many null findings; the Conclusions note that few studies examined causal effects. The review therefore supports a possible role for social support, but not the stronger characterization of it as an established determinant of engagement. (LLM, conf=0.86)
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“Previous research has also indicated social support to be an important determinant of physical activity engagement [242–244].”
- Authors
- McDonough, M. H., Beselt, L. J., Daun, J. T., Shank, J., Culos‐Reed, S. N., Kronlund, L. J., & Bridel, W.
- Affiliations
- University of Calgary (CA)
- Faculty of Kinesiology University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
- Corresponding author
- McDonough, Meghan H.
- Venue
- Psycho-Oncology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2019-08-16
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1945-1958
- ISSN
- 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-1611
- OpenAlex
- W2955081354
- Cited by
- 73
- References
- 72
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 0.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) (acceptedVersion)
- Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- social support, physical activity, cancer survivors, interpersonal relationships, perceived social support, social support interventions, exercise behavior
- MeSH terms
- Cancer Survivors, Adult, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Motor Activity, Neoplasms, Social Support, Health Behavior, Exercise
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