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The relationship between geographic remoteness and intentions to use a telephone support service among Australian men following radical prostatectomy
Author(s) -
Corboy Denise,
McLaren Suzanne,
Jenkins Megan,
McDonald John
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3559
Subject(s) - stoicism , prostatectomy , normative , residence , prostate cancer , service (business) , taxpayer , emotional support , psychology , medicine , social psychology , social support , cancer , demography , political science , sociology , business , art , literature , marketing , law
Objective The objective is to investigate the influence of characteristics related to place of residence (self‐reliance and stoicism) on men's intentions to use a telephone support service following radical prostatectomy. Methods A community sample of 447 prostate cancer patients (31% response), recruited via Medicare Australia, completed a survey to assess levels of self‐reliance and stoicism, and beliefs about addressing emotional distress through using telephone support services. Results Results indicated that the model was a partially mediated model. Geographic remoteness was directly related to intention, and indirectly related through stoicism and subjective norms. Conclusion Men from rural and remote areas in Australia might face particular challenges in seeking support following treatment for prostate cancer. These challenges appear to relate to the influence of stoic attitudes and normative expectations, than to issues of access and availability. Addressing stoic attitudes in the clinical setting, through normalising emotional reactions to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the act of help‐seeking for emotional support, may be beneficial. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.