Mediators of Social Connection in a Group Teleconference Intervention

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Social connection has a positive influence on cancer survivorship and has been targeted in intervention work. We examined whether the formation of social connection is influenced by fear, fatalism, and isolation. Methods: We conducted a mediation analysis on data from an intervention study with African American breast cancer survivors to investigate whether fear, fatalism, and isolation conveyed effects on social connection. Results: Although results indicated that there were no significant mediated effects of the intervention through these variables, we garnered information about action and conceptual theories underlying the program that inform future work. Implications for Practice: Our insights can be considered in future interventions conducted for African American women with breast cancer during and following treatment.