Similarities in coping strategies but differences in sources of support among African American and white women coping with breast cancer

African American women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer t han white women but are more likely to be adversely affected. However, litt le attention has been paid to how these women cope with the disease or whet her they differ from white women in coping with breast cancer. Using a comp arative design, this study analyzed the differences in coping strategies an d use of social support between African American and white women with breas t cancer. Findings suggest that both groups tend to seek social support as a way of coping with their breast cancer but differ in their sources of sup port. Social workers are urged to consider that there may be differences in sources of social support between racially and ethnically diverse populati ons. These differences may have an impact on the type of support provided a nd therefore on patients' need for service. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Set-vice: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail ad dress: < getinfo @ haworthpressinc.com > Website: < http://www.HaworthPress .com > (C) 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]