Older adults with advanced cancer are selective in sharing and seeking information with social networks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about how older adults (OA) with advanced cancer interact with social network members (NM), and the nature of communication. This qualitative study aimed to characterize the processes by which OAs with cancer engage with NMs regarding their illness.

Methods

OAs 65 + with advanced cancer and considering treatment (n = 29) and NMs (n = 18) underwent semi-structured interviews asking 1) about their illness understanding; 2) to identify NMs with whom OAs discuss health-related matters; and 3) to describe the content, process, and impact of those illness-related conversations. Three coders analyzed transcribed interviews. Codes were categorized and emergent themes were identified to generate hypotheses.

Results

OAs seek NMs with medical backgroun

SUBMITTER: Kehoe L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9724683 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature