Partners and Fellow Patients: Two Sources of Emotional Support for Women with Breast Cancer

摘要: This study examined the helping process that occurred when 26 breast cancer patients (the disclosers) talked about their illness-related concerns with partner and, in a separate conversation, fellow patient volunteer helpers). The conversations were rated by trained observers and disclosers terms of several outcome variables. From observers' perspective, helpers more helpful, empathic, supportive, less critical, used self-disclosure than partners. Disclosers did not differentiate between two types helper, gave generally high ratings to both conversations. Strengths weaknesses each type helper identified. Findings are discussed relation literature on formal informal helping, implications for training nonprofessional suggested.