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

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.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.In regression models both coping and social support were positively related to BF scores, even after controlling for income, education and ethnic identification.Active coping strategies and greater perceived social support are important correlates of greater BF following localized PCa treatment.