Leisure time physical activity, social support, health perception, and mental health among women with breast cancer. Issue 3 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Junhyoung; Kim, Jaehyun; Han, Areum; Nguyen, Minh Cong
• Is Part Of: Leisure studies. Volume 40:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 352
• Page End: 362
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- leisure-time physical activity -- social support -- health perception; Leisure -- Periodicals; Recreation -- Periodicals; 306.4805
• DOI: 10.1080/02614367.2020.1869290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-4367

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Given the stress and uncertainty of struggling with a serious disease, it is important to understand and identify factors related to the mental health of women with cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of health perceptions, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and social support on the mental health of women with breast cancer living in the U.S. Data for this study were obtained from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5 Cycle 1). It was found that three independent variables (i.e., LTPA, perceived social support, and health perception) significantly contributed to mental health in the proposed model. Of these variables, social support was the strongest positive predictor of mental health among women with breast cancer, followed by LTPA and health perception. The results of this study suggest that receiving positive social support, participating in LTPA, and maintaining perceptions of positive health status are important for the mental health and wellbeing of women with breast cancer.