Masculinity beliefs predict psychosocial functioning in African American prostate cancer survivors

Research examining psychosocial functioning in African American prostate cancer survivors has been limited, in spite of documented higher mortality from prostate cancer and worse long-term physical and emotional outcomes from prostate cancer treatment reported by this group of survivors. In addition, the role of masculinity in psychosocial adjustment among prostate cancer survivors is not well understood. In this study, 59 African American prostate cancer survivors completed a questionnaire assessing masculinity beliefs related to self-reliance, emotional control, and dominance, as well as measures of psychosocial functioning (i.e., symptom distress, negative mood, and functional and social well-being). Results of regression analyses indicated that masculinity beliefs predicted negative mood, functional well-being, and social well-being, controlling for age, income, and medical comorbidities. The findings reported here, although preliminary, suggest that masculinity beliefs could be important therapeutic targets for improving the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions for men adjusting to prostate cancer survivorship.

Prostate cancer in African Americans: relationship of patient and partner self-efficacy to quality of life

This study examined the relationship between patient and partner ratings of self-efficacy for symptom control and quality of life (QOL) among 40 African American prostate cancer survivors and their intimate partners. Data analyses revealed that cancer survivors who had rated their self-efficacy for symptom control higher reported better QOL related to urinary, bowel, and hormonal symptoms and better general health QOL (i.e., better physical functioning and better mental health). Data analyses also revealed that partners who rated their self-efficacy for helping the patient manage symptoms as higher reported better QOL (i.e., less negative mood and less caregiver strain). Finally, exploratory analyses indicated that higher self-efficacy in patients was associated with less anxiety and caregiver strain in partners, and higher self-efficacy in partners was associated with better adjustment to bowel and hormonal symptoms and better mental health in patients. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed and future directions for research on self-efficacy in African American prostate cancer survivors are identified.