Psychosocial and sociodemographic correlates of benefit-finding in men treated for localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) treatment involves decrements in quality of life such as decreased sexual functioning and urinary/bowel incontinence. Prior work in other cancers has identified positive consequences (e.g. personal growth) following diagnosis and treatment, a phenomenon that has been referred to as benefit-finding (BF) and positively related to quality of life. METHOD: The present study evaluated demographic and psychosocial correlates of BF in men treated for localized PCa. Participants were 250 men who were 6-18 months post treatment, who completed measures of coping strategies, perceived social support, and BF. RESULTS: In regression models both coping and social support were positively related to BF scores, even after controlling for income, education and ethnic identification. CONCLUSION: Active coping strategies and greater perceived social support are important correlates of greater BF following localized PCa treatment.