Social support, gender and patient delay.

摘要: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support and patient delay (PD) among female male cancer patients. METHODS: A population-based with register-sampled patients designed. Patient defined as time interval patient's experience first symptom contact a health-care professional. Both dates were provided by (n=910). completed purpose-designed questionnaire, which assessed perceptions how partner reacted (‘Partner Avoidance’ ‘Partner Support’) others in network responded (‘Other ‘Other worries about symptoms. associations subscales PD analysed separately for men women. RESULTS: In patients, Partner Support Other associated shorter PD, whereas Avoidance longer PD. multivariate analysis, remained Moreover, disclosure symptoms someone reduced likelihood long none scales significantly increased or decreased risk univariate but analysis. CONCLUSIONS: results suggest that avoidance from members influence length differently This gender difference may explain previous mixed findings obtained field.