Abstract
Through focus groups and individual interviews, data were gathered on the emotional, informational, and instrumental support needs of 22 immigrant Latina women. A thematic analysis revealed that participants who perceived to receive social support reported less psychological distress and better adjustment to breast cancer than those who did not perceive this support. Types and sources of support varied across survivorship stages. Many needs were related to financial, linguistic, and cultural barriers participants encountered in the course of the disease. Based on the findings, we conclude with several clinical recommendations to improve the quality of life in this medically underserved population.
