The Impact of Social Cognitive Constructs on Dietary Behaviors in Breast Cancer Survivors

Hwang, Hyenam

Abstract

PURPOSE
Cancer survivors have experienced a specific and unique situation. Diet plays an important role in cancer risk and it is important influences on health. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of social cognitive constructs, which is defined in Bandura's social cognitive theory, on dietary behaviors in breast cancer survivors.
METHODS
A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Social cognitive constructs included nutritional self-efficacy, dietary goal-setting, outcome expectations for nutrition, negative impact of cancer, and social support. Stepwise multiple regression was applied to examine the impact of social cognitive constructs on dietary behaviors.
RESULTS
One hundred and fifty-one breast cancer survivors completed the questionnaire. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that 19.9% of the variance in dietary behaviors was explained by these social cognitive variables. Family support, dietary goal-setting, negative impact of cancer, and nutritional self-efficacy were significant predictors of dietary behaviors.
CONCLUSION
A lack of social cognitive understanding about cancer survivors could result in less than adequate care for their health due to inadequate advice on their lifestyle choices, which may impede their opportunities to live healthy lives after overcoming the cancer. The knowledge from this study will help guide the development of social cognitive interventions.