RESUMO
The current study presents preliminary correlational data used to develop a model depicting the psychosocial pathways that lead to the health behaviors of survivors of childhood and young-adult cancer. Data collected from a sample of 18- to 30-year-old cancer survivors (n = 125) was used to examine the relations among interpersonal support and nonsupport, personal agency, avoidance, depressive symptoms and self-efficacy as they related to health behaviors. The outcome measures examined included tobacco and alcohol use, diet, exercise, sunscreen use, medication compliance and follow-up/screening practices. Correlational analyses revealed a number of significant associations among variables. Results are used to inform the development of a health behavior model. Implications for health promotion and survivorship programming are discussed, as well as directions for future research.
RESUMO
El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo probar las cualidades psicométricas de las escalas PSS-Fa y PSS-Fr (Procidano & Heller, 1983), obteniendo su validez concurrente. El estudio se llevó a cabo en estudiantes mexicanos de nivel universitario con edades de 18 a 31 años. Se calcularon las correlaciones de las escalas de interés con otras variables teóricamente vinculadas al Apoyo Social Percibido como Estrés Percibido (PSS), Optimismo (LOT-R O), Pesimismo (LOT-R P), Estilos de Apego (RQ), Satisfacción en la Vida (SWLS), Número de la red de Apoyo y Satisfacción con la red de apoyo (SSQ6-N y SSQ6-S), Afecto Positivo y Negativo (PANAS-AP y AN), y Deseabilidad Social como variable de control (MC-SDS). También se realizaron comparaciones entre los extremos alto y bajo en apoyo social, y se encontraron diferencias significativas en algunas de las variables criterio. Se concluye que las escalas cuentan con evidencia empírica de su adecuada validez convergente y divergente y su poder discriminante para medir el apoyo social percibido.
The study aimed to test the psychometric qualities of PSS-Fa and PSS-Fr scales (Procidano & Heller, 1983), and their concurrent validity. The sample consisted of college Mexican students ranging from 18 to 31 years of age. In order to determine the concurrent validity, the scales were correlated with other psychological measures theoretically related to the construct of Perceived Social Support, such as Perceived Stress (PSS), Optimism (LOT-R O), Pessimism (LOT-R P), Attachment Styles (RQ), Life Satisfaction (SWLS), Number and Social Supporters Satisfaction (SSQ6-N & SSQ6-S), Positive and Negative Affect (PANAS-PA & NA), and Social Desirability (MCSDS) as a control variable. Finally, extreme (high and low) groups for perceived social support from family and friends were compared in each of the criteria variables and several significant differences were found. Both scales, PSS-Fa & PSS-Fr, were found to have adequate convergent and divergent validity and discriminant power to measure perceived social support.
