Martin Pinquart|Paul R. Duberstein
Associations of social networks with cancer mortality: A meta-analysis
Philipps University of Marburg|University of Rochester Medical Center
metaanalysis integrates results 87 studies associations perceived social support network size marital status cancer survival controlled studies high levels perceived social support larger social network married associated decreases relative risk mortality 25 20 12 respectively moderator analyses revealed never married patients higher mortality rates widowed divorcedseparated patients associations social network mortality stronger younger patients associations marital status mortality stronger studies shorter time intervals earlystage cancer relationships varied cancer site stronger associations social support observed studies patients leukemia lymphomas stronger associations network size observed studies breast cancer randomized intervention studies needed test causal hypotheses role social support social network cancer mortality