ORCID

0009-0005-7857-587X

Keywords

social support, latent profile analysis, Hispanic, breast cancer, health-related quality of life

Abstract

Social support influences health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer survivors, but prior research has not examined which combination of dimensions of social support shapes HRQoL among Hispanic breast cancer survivors. This study included Hispanic breast cancer survivors who participated in a population-based cross-sectional study examining intra-Hispanic disparities in HRQoL in Central Florida. Social support was assessed using the 19-item Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey (SSS), while HRQoL was measured with the 37-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire. Latent Profile Analysis was further conducted to explore distinct patterns of social support with the four (emotional, tangible, affectionate, positive social interaction) domain scores as profile indicators. The current analysis included the 560 women who completed both the MOS-SSS and FACT-B. Mean age was 58.9 (±11.9) years, and mean time since diagnosis was 4.0 (±2.0) years. Five social support patterns emerged: (1) low support across all domains (n=45), (2) average support (n=93), (3) above‑average support (n=103), (4) moderately high support (n=279), and (5) high affectionate but low tangible support (n=40).  The five patterns differed by Hispanic origin, living situation, and income: Patterns 1–3 were predominantly Puerto Rican, Pattern 4 showed higher income and living with partner, and Pattern 5 had more Colombians/Another Hispanic, Spanish‑dominant, and lower‑income participants The multivariable linear regression model including potential confounders explained 39% of the variance in HRQOL (R2=0.39, P< 0.001).  After adjustment, Pattern 3 (β = 6.7, p = 0.023), Pattern 4 (β = 19.8, p < 0.001), and Pattern 5 (β = 14.5, p < 0.001) demonstrated significantly higher FACT‑B scores compared with Pattern 2. Patterns 1 and 2 did not differ significantly from each other. These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions that strengthen the importance of using social support assessment in clinical practice and culturally adapted support interventions for Hispanic breast cancer survivors.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Lee, Eunkyung

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Health Sciences

Format

PDF

Document Type

Thesis

Identifier

DP0053277

Release Date

5-15-2027

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Available for download on Saturday, May 15, 2027

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