(Sponsoring faculty member: Dr. Ruth Riding-Malon)
Religious and nonreligious support in rural versus non-rural areas
Breast cancer, although considered a traumatic experience, can lead to posttraumatic growth.
Research has found that more survivors experience growth than posttraumatic stress disorder.
While there are factors suggested to contribute to growth, there are inconsistencies found
within the literature. One such factor, social support, is a malleable factor that could be
beneficial for interventions to foster growth. Currently, there is no research on posttraumatic
growth in rural areas. Due to fewer resources and a lesser likelihood of having peer support
groups, along with an increased likelihood of religious supports, it is plausible that rural
breast cancer survivors differ from non-rural areas on levels of posttraumatic growth. These
relationships will be explored to ascertain whether geographical location and type of support
matters within a breast cancer survivor population. Implications, limitations, and considerations
for future research will be explored.