• 216-01 - Health-related Family Quality of Life Perceptions: Breast Cancer Survivors. Presented by: Paige Murtagh, Antoinette Lentz, Elise Radina, Anjana Jagpal, Marilyn Rush-Ossenbeck, Erica Strong, Mallory Waters
• 216-02 - Mothers’ HPV Vaccination Decisions for Their Daughters. Presented by: Amanda Ginter, Edmond Shenassa
• 216-03 - The Role of Spirituality for Women Coping With Breast Cancer.Presented by: Daniel Zomerlei, Sahil Gambhir, Adrian Blow, Janet Osuch, Pam Haan, Bruno Giordani, Michael Boivin
• 216-04 - Heart Attack Symptoms and Decision Making: The Case of Older Rural Women. Presented by: Melanie Jackson, B. Jan McCulloch

 Abstracts

Health-related Family Quality of Life Perceptions: Breast Cancer Survivors

Presented by: Paige Murtagh, Antoinette Lentz, Elise Radina, Anjana Jagpal, Marilyn Rush-Ossenbeck, Erica Strong, Mallory Waters
 
This study explored breast cancer survivors' perceptions of their health-related family quality of life (HR-FQoL). The theory of HR-FQoL draws on theoretical and empirical work regarding health-related quality of life for individual patients and family quality of life. The main concepts of this theory (i.e., emotional closeness, family sense of coherence, and family functioning) were explored using codebook analysis of qualitative interviews with breast cancer survivors (N=22). Results elucidate the theory of HR-FQoL and contribute to understanding how breast cancer impacts family life.

Mothers’ HPV Vaccination Decisions for Their Daughters

Presented by: Amanda Ginter, Edmond Shenassa

The recent FDA recommendation that girls younger than 18 should be vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV) was met with concern from parents, who felt their daughters were too young to worry about STIs. The role of family structure as a predictor of HPV vaccination remains unexplained. This study examines the family structure, social determinants, and disparities of mothers who do and do not choose to get their daughters ages 9-18 vaccinated for HPV. We are analyzing data from the National Survey of Family Growth (n=1,036), a population-based data set.  The implications of our findings for family scientists will be presented.

The Role of Spirituality for Women Coping With Breast Cancer

Presented by: Daniel Zomerlei, Sahil Gambhir, Adrian Blow, Janet Osuch, Pam Haan, Bruno Giordani, Michael Boivin

The National Cancer Institute estimates nearly 2.5 million women with a history of breast cancer currently reside in the United States. Coping well with breast cancer is often affected by the woman’s ability to make meaning of her illness. This study examines the impact of spirituality as a source of meaning-making contributing to maintenance of quality of life and emotional well-being throughout the course of one year post-breast cancer diagnosis. Results from qualitative interviews and quantitative assessment show spirituality to be an important component of psychosocial adjustment to a breast cancer diagnosis, and family can help shape these meaning systems.

Heart Attack Symptoms and Decision Making: The Case of Older Rural Women

Presented by: Melanie Jackson, B. Jan McCulloch

Women are just as vulnerable to heart attacks as men and are often unaware of many symptoms associated with heart attacks. The purpose of this paper is to utilize information gathered from a qualitative study exploring older rural women's identification of heart attack symptoms and health decision making specific to heart attack vignettes. The study showed that women had difficulty identifying heart attack symptoms and were likely to delay seeking medical or family assistance. The findings of this study suggest implications for educational programs and provide information that can facilitate better informed communication with healthcare professionals and rural women.